Stillness
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Definition and Concept
Stillness, in a biblical context, refers to a state of quietness, peace, and calmness, both externally and internally. It is often associated with the presence of God, spiritual reflection, and the cessation of worldly activities to focus on divine matters. Stillness is not merely the absence of noise or activity but a profound spiritual posture that allows believers to experience God's presence and hear His voice.

Biblical References
The concept of stillness is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing its importance in the life of a believer. One of the most cited verses is Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (BSB). This verse calls for a cessation of striving and a recognition of God's sovereignty and power.

In Exodus 14:14, during the Israelites' escape from Egypt, Moses reassures the people, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." (BSB). Here, stillness is linked to trust in God's deliverance and protection, encouraging believers to rely on divine intervention rather than their own efforts.

Spiritual Significance
Stillness is a spiritual discipline that fosters a deeper relationship with God. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and meditation on God's Word. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, stillness provides an opportunity to withdraw from distractions and focus on spiritual growth and understanding.

Isaiah 30:15 highlights the connection between stillness and salvation: "For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: 'By repentance and rest you will be saved; your strength will come from quietness and trust.' But you were not willing." (BSB). This passage underscores the importance of quietness and trust in God as sources of strength and salvation.

Practical Application
Practicing stillness involves setting aside time for solitude and silence, allowing for uninterrupted communion with God. This can be achieved through prayer, meditation on Scripture, or simply sitting quietly in God's presence. It is a deliberate act of surrender, acknowledging that God is in control and that His plans are perfect.

In the New Testament, Jesus exemplifies the practice of stillness. Mark 1:35 records, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray." (BSB). Jesus' example teaches believers the importance of seeking solitude to connect with the Father, especially amidst the demands of ministry and daily life.

Theological Implications
Stillness is a reminder of God's omnipotence and the believer's dependence on Him. It challenges the notion of self-reliance and emphasizes the need for divine guidance and strength. In a world that often values busyness and productivity, stillness calls believers to a countercultural practice of resting in God's presence and trusting in His timing.

The practice of stillness also aligns with the biblical principle of Sabbath rest, where believers are encouraged to cease from labor and focus on worship and spiritual renewal. It is a time to remember God's faithfulness and provision, as seen in Psalm 62:1, "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him." (BSB).

Conclusion
While stillness may seem passive, it is an active engagement with God, requiring intentionality and discipline. It is a vital aspect of the Christian life, offering peace, clarity, and a deeper understanding of God's will. Through stillness, believers can experience the fullness of God's presence and the assurance of His promises.
Topical Bible Verses
Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Topicalbible.org

Mark 4:39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 83:1-18
Keep not you silence, O God: hold not your peace, and be not still, O God.
Topicalbible.org

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The quality or state of being still; quietness; silence; calmness; inactivity.

2. (n.) Habitual silence or quiet; taciturnity.

Greek
2271. hesuchia -- stillness
... stillness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hesuchia Phonetic Spelling:
(hay-soo-khee'-ah) Short Definition: quietness, silence Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2271.htm - 7k

2263. eremos -- quiet
... quiet. Perhaps by transposition from eremos (through the idea of stillness); tranquil --
quiet. see GREEK eremos. (eremon) -- 1 Occurrence. 2262, 2263. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2263.htm - 7k

2272. hesuchios -- tranquil
... peaceful. 2272 (an adjective derived from , "quiet, stillness") -- properly,
quiet (still), ie steady (settled) due to a . 2272 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2272.htm - 7k

4623. siopao -- to be silent
... From siope (silence, ie A hush; properly, muteness, ie Involuntary stillness, or
inability to speak; and thus differing from sige, which is rather a voluntary ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4623.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
1747. dumiyyah -- a silence, a quiet waiting, repose
... silence, silent, waiteth. From damah; stillness; adverbially, silently; abstractly
quiet, trust -- silence, silent, waiteth. see HEBREW damah. 1746, 1747. ...
/hebrew/1747.htm - 6k
Library

Stillness in Storm
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII STILLNESS IN STORM. '... Neither be
ye of doubtful mind.'"Luke 12:29. I think that these words ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/stillness in storm.htm

Whereunto Art Thou Like? Let Thy Stillness Speak to one that Hears
... Hymn II. Whereunto art thou like? Let thy stillness speak to one that hears.
1. Whereunto art thou like? Let thy stillness speak ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn ii whereunto art thou.htm

Quietism and Calvinism
... Those who came under the spell made much of the text"the locus classicus of
Quietism"Be still, and know that I am God.' Stillness' meant to cease from the ...
/.../ii quietism and calvinism.htm

Of the Way to Attain Divine Union
... Activity obstructs Union; for God being an Infinite Stillness, the soul, in order
to be united to Him, must participate in this stillness, else the contrariety ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xxiv of the way.htm

Silence to God
... The difference is, that the one expresses the Psalmist's patient stillness of
submission, and the other is his self-encouragement to that very attitude and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/silence to god.htm

Yorkshire and the Settlement System.
... "I cannot but observe," he wrote to his friend Jacob Rogers, curate at St. Paul's,
Bedford, "what a slur you cast upon the Moravians about stillness. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter x yorkshire and the.htm

The Desire of the Soul in Spiritual Darkness
... Its solemn stillness helps to free the mind from that perpetual din which the cares
of the world will bring around it; and the stars looking down from heaven ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the desire of the soul.htm

The Wilderness
... gates that are praise. The Master often spoke of this, and had many names
for this place of hidden joy and stillness. He called it ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxxi the wilderness.htm

A Trained Ear.
... For in silence God is speaking to the inner ear. "Let us then labour for an inward
stillness" An inward stillness and an inward healing; That perfect silence ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a trained ear.htm

The Midnight Cry.
... The Lord shall come in dead of night,. When all is stillness round; ... The Lord
shall come in dead of night,. When all is stillness round; ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/the midnight cry.htm

Thesaurus
Stillness (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stillness (1 Occurrence). Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou
in silence for God only; For my expectation is from him. (See JPS). ...
/s/stillness.htm - 6k

Quietness (15 Occurrences)
... (n.) The quality or state of being quiet; freedom from noise, agitation,
disturbance, or excitement; stillness; tranquility; calmness. ...
/q/quietness.htm - 10k

Quiet (167 Occurrences)
... a time of quiet. 7. (a.) Freedom from disturbance, noise, or alarm; stillness;
tranquility; peace; security. 8. (vt) To stop motion ...
/q/quiet.htm - 37k

Galilee (73 Occurrences)
... Its present appearance is thus described: "The utter loneliness and absolute
stillness of the scene are exceedingly impressive. ...
/g/galilee.htm - 67k

Waits (21 Occurrences)
... My salvation is from him. (See NAS RSV). Psalms 62:5 Only for God wait thou
in stillness, my soul; for from Him cometh my hope. (See RSV). ...
/w/waits.htm - 11k

Bittern (4 Occurrences)
... as if issuing from some formidable being that resided at the bottom of the waters."
Tristram says, "Its strange booming note, disturbing the stillness of night ...
/b/bittern.htm - 14k

Calm (18 Occurrences)
... agitation, or disturbance; a cessation or absence of that which causes motion or
disturbance, as of winds or waves; tranquility; stillness; quiet; serenity. ...
/c/calm.htm - 11k

Still (2005 Occurrences)
... The "still small voice" of 1 Kings 19:12 (the Revised Version margin "sound of gentle
stillness") is due to taking the Hebrew demamah in its literal force of ...
/s/still.htm - 10k

Serenity (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being serene;
clearness and calmness; quietness; stillness; peace. 2. (n ...
/s/serenity.htm - 6k

Sheol (64 Occurrences)
... In its darkness, stillness, powerlessness, lack of knowledge and inactivity, it
is a true abode of death (see DEATH); hence, is regarded by the living with ...
/s/sheol.htm - 34k

Resources
What is quietism? | GotQuestions.org

What is the sea of glass mentioned in Revelation 4:6 and 15:2? | GotQuestions.org

What is mindfulness? Should a Christian be involved in mindfulness? | GotQuestions.org

Stillness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Stillness (1 Occurrence)

Psalms 62:5
My soul, wait thou in silence for God only; For my expectation is from him.
(See JPS)

Subtopics

Stillness

Related Terms

Turmoil (15 Occurrences)

Roaring (28 Occurrences)

Stillness (1 Occurrence)

Stimulate (3 Occurrences)

Seas (40 Occurrences)

Waves (43 Occurrences)

Stilling
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