“This is what the Lord says to me: ‘I will remain quiet and will look on from My dwelling place…’” Isaiah 18:4

God Is Still

I can hardly recount all the times I prayed for things I did not get. I wanted my father to walk with Jesus (admittedly, to make my life easier); I wanted to have children; I wanted certain jobs, certain abilities, certain ministries. I wanted more money. A certain kind of husband. A home overlooking the ocean. A white picket fence and red geraniums growing in window boxes…

We all know the frustration of feeling that God is not answering our prayers, not rescuing us in a timely way, not blessing us with the things we want. Is He there? Does He see? Does He care? What is He waiting for? 

Scripture assures us He is watching from His dwelling place, but He is being still and quiet. He knows what course of action (or inaction) is best to build our faith, to be a witness to His power and greatness, to transform us. He knows what it takes for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

If life always went our way, then we’d be sovereign. We’d be God.

His stillness doesn’t mean He is pleased with what’s going on. It doesn’t mean He overlooks it, or doesn’t care, or consents to it. But He knows how to bide His time. He knows how to wait and watch, something we humans aren’t very good at. We push and shove against the waiting and watching and stillness.

His hand feels your heartbeat, knows the rise and fall of your breathing, hears your words before you speak, knows your thoughts before you are aware of them. He knows how everything in your life affects you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Your inner being is no secret to Him.

I assure you, He will arise. He will speak the final word. He will triumph. He will judge, when the time comes.

Let’s take our cue from God: be still, and watch what He does.

“Father, we are an impatient people, worried and stressed, unrestrained in so many ways. Remind us that You are able, and You will show up at the necessary moment. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”