There is a story of a friendship in the Bible that gives us a strong picture of faith and trust in God – Elijah and Elisha. In 2 Kings Chapter 2, Elijah was about to be taken up to heaven and Elisha was with him.
We have to pause right here and understand the significance of what is happening. The taking up of Elijah is usually what we concentrate on in this story because it’s an incredible miracle in itself. However, consider what else is about to happen: the loss of a friendship, a close friendship. Elijah would be leaving. Elijah was Elisha’s teacher, that person who probably knew him best. There was probably joy in Elisha’s heart for his friend, knowing what would soon take place. But think of the sadness that must be present also. Elisha knew that he would soon be without Elijah. Twice Elisha was questioned by others about what was to happen.
2Kings 2:3 Then the sons of the prophets who [were at] Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" And he said, "Yes, I know; be still."
2Kings 2:5 And the sons of the prophets who [were] at Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be still."
Pay close attention to the response in both sections of scripture above. Be still. Consider. Elisha’s mentor, his best friend, his confidant, is about to leave forever. Humanly speaking, this is heart wrenching. Yet, we see the trust that is displayed in Elisha’s response to others who are unsettled. Imagine the thoughts of those around them. ‘Do something’! ‘How can you be okay with what is going to happen’? ‘Do you understand what is going to occur’? Elisha did fully understand. He also had complete faith in God and trusted in His plans. Be still.
In the KJV, the words are translated, ‘hold your peace’. Chashah: to hush or keep quiet, be silent, be still.
This is not ‘be still’ for a moment. It is keep still, ongoing, remembering continuously Who is in control, Who has the better plan – the perfect plan.
Psalm 46:10 "Cease [striving] and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Cease striving, what a needed phrase! It means to slacken, to abate, cease, to be faint, be feeble, be idle, to leave, to let alone, be still. Many of us need to learn how to be still!
There is painted for us in scripture a beautiful picture of giving up of ourselves, our concerns, our drive that something has to be done, and our attitude of fixing it, to the hands of God. Rest, be quiet, pray – He has it all under control. I cannot tell you how often I need to remember this as I am trying to serve within my many human limitations of strength and understanding! This is definitely not giving up as in ‘I quit’, rather, it is giving up to the One who can do anything and will do everything in His time and His plan.
Perhaps the oft-heard reminder of ‘letting go’ and ‘letting God’ is a good one. But not in the sense that the world views this phrase. The Bible does not tell us to let go and let God. We need to be discerning about what is truth and what just sounds good. The world has penned this phrase, not God. We are to be about doing, so just sitting back and letting things happen is not acceptable. Doing nothing, having no motivation, taking it easy, and watching the world around us is not our calling as God’s children. We are in the middle of a spiritual battle, and to do nothing would hardly be the purpose of a soldier. However, we do need to let go of the thought that we do need to let go of the thought that we are in control. We need to be diligent, we need to strive to serve with all the ability we have been given, but we also need to remember that God is the driver; it is His work in us and through us that we seek after. Let go – to the confidence you can have in Him, to the peace that results from that confidence, and the rest that comes from knowing He has a perfect plan.
Here, in the midst of suffering, we see peace from trusting in God’s purpose. Think of it as acquiescing to God’s plan and His power to bring things about perfectly. God does not need us to agree with Him, but when we choose to trust His plan, we are a step closer to peace. We need to ‘let go’ and ‘not be anxious’ about everything we cannot figure out or fix. Be still.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When we choose to be still in God’s plan, Philippians 4:8 tells us distinctly what we can be about doing as we wait and trust in God.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
We are also encouraged by the promised result of following God’s truth as we look at the next verse in the same Chapter of Philippians.
Php 4:9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
Peace: quietness, rest
Be still…Be still…Be still…Be still…be still…be still.
