The Power of Stillness
Why God’s Silence Is Not His Absence
Have you ever prayed with urgency—asking God for help—and felt like He didn’t answer? That silence can feel heavy, even lonely. As we get older and time feels more precious, it’s easy to think God’s quiet means He’s not listening or doesn’t care.
But here’s the truth: Stillness is where we begin to truly know God.
Scripture
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10 [^1]
Wisdom
“When God is silent, it is the time to listen more closely, not to doubt more quickly.” – A.W. Tozer[^2]
Reflection
Stillness doesn’t mean doing nothing. It’s a deep way of trusting God. He often works in quiet places. Think of a seed in the ground—nothing seems to be happening, but big changes are taking place under the surface.
There was a woman who prayed for her son to come back to God for many years. She didn’t hear anything, but her faith grew stronger. That quiet time wasn’t wasted—it was preparing her heart. God wasn’t just working on her son; He was working on her too.
Stillness is not giving up. It’s where we stop trying to fix everything ourselves and remember who God is—even when we don’t see what He’s doing.
Key Truths
- 💡 God’s silence doesn’t mean He’s saying no—it’s an invitation to trust Him more
- ⚓ Instead of chasing answers, rest in His presence. Let Him hold you steady
- ⏳ What God is shaping in the quiet today will show up in His perfect timing
Prayer
Lord, I confess it is hard to wait quietly. Teach me to rest my anxious heart in Your presence and trust Your sovereign timing, even when I hear nothing. Help me to know You in the stillness. Amen.
Suggested Music
Hymn: “Be Still My Soul” — Leave to thy God to order and provide
🎵 Listen to “Be Still My Soul”
Contemporary: “Still” by Hillsong Worship — I will rest in You, my refuge and strength
🎵 Listen to “Still”
Footnotes
[^1] Psalm 46:10, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). This psalm, attributed to the sons of Korah, was written during a time of great turmoil and conflict. It reminds God’s people that true peace and victory come not from frantic activity but from recognizing His sovereignty and ceasing our striving. The command to “be still” is an invitation to trust deeply in God’s character and control.
[^2] Aiden Wilson Tozer (1897-1963), The Pursuit of God (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Inc., 1948; reprinted in numerous editions). A.W. Tozer was a self-taught theologian and pastor in the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination who served congregations in West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Toronto. Despite minimal formal education, his profound insights on knowing God intimately and experiencing His presence have made him one of the most quoted Christian authors of the 20th century. His works, including The Knowledge of the Holy and The Pursuit of God, continue to call believers to a deeper, more authentic relationship with God beyond mere religious activity.