Two Who Sat Still

“Their strength is to sit still.”  (Isaiah 30:7)

         When I was probably somewhere between six and eight, my brother-in-law offered me a quarter if could sit still for fifteen minutes. I didn’t get the quarter. J This is no doubt where our older daughter got her energetic disposition, and why my husband always said of her, “That girl hits the floor running.” She has slowed down somewhat through the years, but I think her mind is as quick-paced as ever. I’m glad God has hard-wired some of us with this kind of energy. What would we do without their inspiring service to Him and us? But these as well as all personality traits must be honed by the Holy Spirit to bring out their maximum worth. And Psalm 46:10 still says, “Sit still and know that I am God.” I’m thinking today of two women in the Bible who epitomize for me the cited sentence in Isaiah thirty.

Mary sat still and worshipped: “And she [Martha] had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word (Luke 10:39). While her sister was busy ministering to Jesus’ physical need, Mary chose to take advantage of this Heavenly visit to let the Lord minister to her. Martha’s service was worthy and appreciated by Jesus, I’m sure; but He felt it was necessary to gently rebuke her for not grasping the enormity of an opportunity to spend time in the presence of God, hearing His words and worshipping at His feet. Undenied and uninterrupted fellowship with Diety is unrivalled in importance. In fact, Jesus said it was the greatest need we have and the only thing that cannot in the end be taken away from us (v. 42).

Ruth sat still and waited: “Then said she [Naomi to Ruth], Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day” (Ruth 3:18). With her future hanging in the balance, this lovely young woman chose to follow the advice of her godly mother-in-law and trust the will of God and the integrity of a good man. She could have paced the floor and pondered the various outcomes, or worse, she could have placed her case again before Boaz, questioning his resolve. But she didn’t. She relied on Naomi’s assurance that this man would not rest until he had finished taking care of her and whole matter. And as we all know, he did.

         Now, lets bring it home. How good are we at sitting still at Jesus’ feet? Are we comfortable in His presence, letting His Word work its cleansing power and illumination on us? Perhaps our body is still, but our mind is not, instead, interspersing our reading with mental plans of the day. And must we do all the talking in prayer, or are we comfortable sitting quietly and allowing the Holy Spirit to probe our hearts for hidden sin or bring to mind someone or something not on our “prayer list?”

         Then, how good are we at waiting? Sitting still without feverishly trying to bring it to pass or head it off at the pass? When we’ve done what He has asked of us, but the answer or the resolution is still pending, can we trust the integrity of our Heavenly Boaz to “finish the job?” Paul answered that question for us: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philip. 1:6). If God has begun a “good work” in us (salvation), it’s for dead certain, He’ll take care of us all the way. So if you’re waiting for a husband, a wayward child, healing, finances, whatever…if God has put you in a waiting pattern, sit still.

          Can it be said of you or me, “Her strength is to sit still”?