“Rebuilding”

An excerpt from “Firestorm” by Ron Susek

Perhaps the simplest, yet most profound, restoration is found in the psalmist’s words, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Ps. 37:7). “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Ps. 46:10).

In the Hebrew, “be still” carries the picture of an army marching in full battle array, fevered with readiness to fight. The command is to stop marching, lay down all weapons, and be at ease. The assurance behind the command is that there is a greater one than you who will be glorified by providing his sufficiency as your defender and deliverer.

I sat down and said out loud, “Here I am, God. Where are you? That wasn’t doubt or despair, just the emotional emptiness that accompanies fatigue. I began to read the Scriptures, gulping them like a man at a water hole in the desert. One day I read the Scriptures for fourteen hours, slowly feeling the refreshing power.

On day seventeen of my stay, I happened to read Psalm 46:10 and something completely unexpected happened. I felt that inner motor that tends to race twenty-four hours a day shut down -- literally. For three days I enjoyed such peace that I felt it too crude to request anything of God. I knew that he desired to answer all prayer; therefore, there was no need to inform him of my need. This was a time for worship and praise.

That encounter with “being still” not only fully reinvigorated me, it became one of the most cherished memories of my life. I know that God restores the heart, the mind, and the body. I experienced that in its full, wonderful force. I know he can restore you, but you must take the time to get alone with God and be still.

In this stillness there is a faithful waiting upon the Lord. Herein strength is renewed. Isaiah writes, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:31) Think not, however, that being still and waiting on the Lord denotes doing nothing. Faith is not passive. You are told to walk and run while resting. But as you rest in the Lord, new energy fills your heart, even invigorates tired muscles. You are energized by resting in divine strength.

The renewal comes from the rest found in the stillness of faith. But what is rest? Is it mere relief? No, much more. It is completion. For instance, when God rested on the seventh day, it was not a matter of regaining lost strength but of looking upon the completed works of his hands. All was in a state of wholeness. Likewise, the rest that God will bring to you, even amid devastation, will be an inner completion—a wholeness. Well-being comes to your body, mind, and soul. I strongly encourage you to give the highest priority to being still, believing, and finding God’s rest in your rebuilding process during and after a bad conflict.