Be Still and Know - Pastor Bradley Peters

The heart of our time together focused on the invitation to stillness. In a world that is often tumultuous and filled with striving, Psalm 46 calls us to remember that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. When everything around us seems to be falling apart, our natural instinct is to take control, to strive, and to fix things ourselves. Yet, God calls us to “be still and know that I am God.” This stillness is not passive, but an active trust—a surrender of our own efforts so that we can truly know and experience God’s presence.

We explored how love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is patient and kind. Love waits, hopes, and perseveres. These qualities require a posture of stillness and trust, not frantic activity. The world’s version of love is often noisy and self-seeking, but the love that comes from God is enduring and transformative. Even in our impatience and striving, God’s love remains steadfast, inviting us to grow in Christlikeness.

Looking at the life of Jesus in Mark 1, we see that after a day filled with ministry and healing, Jesus withdrew to a solitary place to pray. He modeled for us the rhythm of work and rest, of engagement and stillness. The Jewish day begins at sunset, a reminder that God is at work even as we sleep, and that our days should begin by joining Him in what He is already doing. We are invited to lay aside distractions, to quiet our hearts, and to seek God’s peace and direction in the stillness.

As we close, the invitation is to examine our hearts, to let go of what does not belong, to forgive, to repent, and to receive God’s grace. May we be a people marked by peace, patience, and a deep trust in the God who is our fortress and our hope.