What does it mean to be still? Learning to be still and know God more is the goal of our 40-day fast. In these 40 days we will read Bible verses about being still. We will dig into the meaning of the words as we pray, and ask God to rest our hearts.
Why We Need Bible Verses About Being Still First
I have a confession about day one of the 40-day fast of time to learn to be still we just began…
I told you yesterday that I committed to fast the first of my time and then the best of my time every day for the next 40 days. So I set my alarm to wake me up 10 minutes earlier today. (Learn more about how to fast and pray in a way that pleases God here)
SMH. I snoozed past that, and past the normal time I would wake up. There was a moment of temptation, to just start tomorrow. Then I remembered you. We are doing this together. So I got up, gave God the first of my time, and spent the rest of today 10 minutes late.
My laziness does not excuse my commitment to God. You are helping me stay accountable in this 40-day fast. Thank you.
There are many Bible verses about being still but I wanted to focus on a specific meaning. What does Psalm 46 say? The “be still” from Psalm 46:10 is so powerful and requires a look at the root word.
What God Says About Being Still?
The root word for “be still” is raphah and we will study it from the original text over the course of this 40-day fast.
To start our time we will see all the verses in the context that contains that word or phrase.
Note: I am listing them from the Amplified Version because I love seeing all the synonyms. The synonyms help me understand and apply Bible verses. The bold parenthesis is me adding emphasis to Raphah (be still) in these 12 Scriptures on how to Be still. The “be still” meaning in Hebrew is tied to these Bible verses.
12 Bible Verses that Contain Be Still – Raphah
These Bible verses about being still include things like:
- Still standing Bible verses.
- Bible verses about being still and quiet.
- Many Bible verses that say be still and wait.
- Peace be still quotes we love.
- Scripture about finding rest in God and God’s plan.
Did you find this mid-series? Go back here and read the intro and keep up with the series.
Still standing Bible verses
“The Lord will fight for you while you (only need to) keep silent and remain calm (be still).” (Exodus 14:14 AMP)
“Now the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, yet we are still (being still) doing nothing to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?” (1 Kings 22:3 AMP)
“Tremble [with anger or fear], and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still [reflect on your sin and repent of your rebellion]. Selah.” (Psalm 4:4 AMP)
Scripture About Finding Rest in God and God’s Plan
How do we begin our 40-day fast? A word study on Bible verses about being still or a topical study of being still? Share on XJust a Note: I added Psalm 23:1-2 to this list because it implies we will be still even though it does not use our root word specifically.
“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me],
I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters (be still and drink to refresh).” (Psalm 23:1-2 AMP)
“Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” (Psalm 37:7 AMP)
Bible Verses About Being Still and Quiet
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 AMP)
“Do not keep silent, O God; Do not hold Your peace or be still, O God.” (Psalm 83:1 AMP)
“Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; They will (Be Still) be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah.” (Psalm 84:4 AMP)
Many Bible Verses That Say Be Still and Wait
Be Still in Psalm 107:29 uses another word but is also prophetic to Mark 4:39 which is why I included it in this list.
Be Still in Plsam 107:29 uses another word (or synonym of to be still) but is also prophetic to Mark 4:39. Share on X“He hushed the storm to a gentle whisper, So that the waves of the sea were still (Be Still).” (Psalm 107:29 AMP)
“Be silent (Be Still), you inhabitants of the coastland, You merchants of Sidon; Your messengers crossed the sea” (Isaiah 23:2 AMP)
“O you sword of the Lord, How long will it be before you are quiet? Put yourself into your sheath; Rest and be still.” (Jeremiah 47:6 AMP)
And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still [muzzled]!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness].” (Mark 4:39 AMP)
Observations about Scripture on Being Still
Clearly “be still” is a command repeated in scripture. Anytime the Bible repeats something it needs to get your attention. Reading these verses I have more questions than answers today.
- How do you learn to be still?
- How do you practically apply the lesson to be still?
- Why do we need to be still?
- What are you supposed to think about or do when you are being still?
- What are the benefits of learning to be still?
For today it is enough to just ask the questions and know that there are answers. Tomorrow we will try to find some of the answers together.
Conclusions About the Scripture To Be Still
God says, “Be still.” I do not know how to be still.
Many of the times be still is in the Bible are from David. Since the life of David was not easy so I know the command to be still is not dependant on my circumstance. It looks like the act of being still, applies through battle and implies that God will fight for me. That thought gives me comfort.
The command to be still is not dependant on my circumstance. It looks like the act of being still, applies through battle and implies that God will fight for me. That thought gives me comfort. Share on XPrayer to close out time:
Father, I see many Bible verses about being still. I don’t know how to do that, in fact, I stink at it. My mind is always racing, fear and anxiety plague me and I feel like I have failed in this. Teach me to be still and know that You are God. Show me how to actually do it and make it a habit in my life.
Refresh my soul today with the truth of Your Word. Forgive me where I have failed you in this area. Change me. Mold my heart to reflect You to those around me. You are not anxious or hurried or overly busy. Make me more like You today. Prepare my heart for the rest of this day.
Amen
Which of These Bible Verses About Being Still Will You Start With?
Today we’ve taken a birds-eye view of 12 Bible verses about being still. Are you joining us for this 40-day fast? If so, which of these Scriptures on how to be still will you start with?
- Still standing Bible verses
- Bible verses about being still and quiet
- Many Bible verses that say be still and wait
- Peace be still quotes we love
- Scripture about finding rest in God and God’s plan
I highly encourage you to read through them all slowly and see where God leads you. You are also welcome to join the challenge and follow along with these daily devotionals to make your fast more meaningful.
in HIS love,
Tiffany of Hope Joy in Christ inspires Christian Women to grow in faith, live out Biblical Marriage Principles and raise Godly Children. Join the Wives Only Facebook Group here or keep up with her through Pinterest.
If you enjoyed this you would also like these Posts:
- How to Fast and Pray in a Way that Pleases God
- Be a Biblical wife to an Ungodly Husband
- 40-Days to Be Still and Know God more
I’m sure this post is very helpful for those who follow the Christian faith–stillness is so rare in this day of age.
Stillness is rare but so helpful when dealing with anxiety… christian or not 😉 You are so right Amanda!
I’m not really sure how to be still, either! great post
Being Still is def a lost art in our culture.
What a great reminder. Thank you!
Thanks for stopping in Lori.
Oh man. Really needs this today, something I have been working on. I love Psalm 37:7, one that I’ve read and meditated on a lot these past few months.
I love when God puts something before us repeatedly. He is so faithful to give us what we need.
I lost my part time job Christmas Eve and Dec. 30 found out the apartment complex sold where we live and the new owner is raising out Rent from 700 to 900 a month.
A friend of mine several months ago heard from The Lord to give ME 2 words “BE STILL” I have been frantically looking for another pt job, but nothing. I have quit looking for a job! SO THANK YOU FOR THIS READING AND JOURNALING ON BE STILL! CAN’T WAIT TO GET STARTED!!
Praying for you and this situation Glee and praising the Lord that it is helping you as you lean into God through this season.
This is definitely confirmation for me.
Praise the Lord Wanna!
am on a similar fast. using this resource from Nairobi, Kenya. I see this is a women ministry, but i could not find a similar resource for men or from a Men ministry.
That said, i am on day one of 40, on the being still journey…believing God to learn and to be…
Isa 30:15 AMP
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel has said this, “In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, In quietness and confident trust is your strength.”
That is amazing! As a woman, I tend to write to women, but all are welcome as long as you are okay with the teaching coming from a woman. There are many men in the HopeJoyinChrist Community and we love to encourage and support each other as we are all growing in faith together!