Finding Your Stronghold - Solitude, Silence, Surrender

Finding Your Stronghold - Solitude, Silence, and Surrender

Psalm 46:10-11 LEB - 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 Yahweh of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our high stronghold.

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to preach and I heard some of yall had really positive things to say about it. Another small fun fact about that sermon is that it ended up being a full hour long! So, I figured this week, I’ll just double that and it will be even better!

So if you need to order door dash, now is the time! Jk

No, though the sermon two weeks ago was a welcomed challenge to us all, I’ve had a lot more time to prepare this one so its a bit more fine-tuned but still with a powerful truth.

Today, I want to share how we can be present in the presence of an omni present God. How can we know God, walk with Him, be with Him, grow with Him - and why does all of that matter?

I want to share 3 things that have greatly impacted the way I walk with God. 3 concepts that if put together often, will help lead you into knowing your God.

And that is Solitude, Silence, and Surrender.

3 subjects that could each easily be their own sermons, but I promise you we wont be here that long. So, pull out your Bibles, your journals, and have ears to hear this morning because no matter where you are in your walk with Jesus, this can tremendously transform your life and walk with Christ.

So come back with me to Psalm 46 -

And knowing the context here is crucial - The nation of Judah (who was the nation that split from Israel) was in turmoil.

During the time of Isaiah, the entire Near East lived in fear of the Assyrians. They were a brutal and barbaric people, intent on taking over. The Assyrians used both psychological and physical threats to weaken and destroy their opponents. They would often surround cities and send messengers into them to taunt the people and encourage them to surrender. If the people did not, the Assyrians would then invade, setting houses on fire, murdering the inhabitants, and more. Isaiah had already watched as this happened to Israel; now the Assyrians were looking to conquer Judah.

A messenger was sent from the king of Assyria to the king of Judah, Hezekiah telling him to surrender (Isa 37:17–20). The king of Assyria also sent messengers to tell the people that no god had ever saved anyone from him, and they must not listen to King Hezekiah if he should tell them to trust the Lord (Isa 36:13–20).

So King Hezekiah does the only thing he knows to do. When it seems the Assyrian king will soon prevail and even sends him a letter to assure him of that, Hezekiah lays it on the altar, gets on his face before God, and begs God for help.

Most commentators agree that out of that situation, the people of God wrote Psalm 46 (Boice, Psalms 42–106, 391).

And it starts in verse 1, saying - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Ps 46:1 ESV

This is the point, we serve and love a God who is our fortress, our strength and is with us. He is present and desires us to be present with Him. And it is this idea that makes up the chorus of this psalm. 7 The LORD of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Ps 46:7 CSB

God is a fortress from our greatest fears. When it feels as if the gates of hell have come against us and we are terribly afraid, the Lord is our fortress. When it appears that there is no way out and defeat is imminent—when you are backed into a corner and there is no escape—in those moments, and all moments the Lord is our fortress.

The God, Yahweh, through Jesus Christ - HE IS OUR STRONGHOLD, our fortress, our strength. For from Him comes protection, providence, and position! We are encouraged, we are made glad, and we find rest.

In the midst of Israel's drowning, despair, and difficulty, they found everything they needed in God. But how?

Well, verse 10 gives us the answer.

There is only one command in Psalm 46 and it is found in verse 10. After affirming the Lord’s protection, presence, and position, the psalmist commands us to “be still” or in the CSB, it says, “stop.” Psalm 46:10 says, “Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” This is not just a call to silence. It is not just a call to meditation. It is not a call just to be still. It is, as the CSB translates it, a call to stop!

To stop trying to fight the battles with your own strength.

To stop trying to strive for control over everything.

To stop fighting and rebelling against God’s will for you life

To stop, to cease, and relinquish it all - to surrender to God.

Psalm 46 is a call to be present in the preset presence of an Almighty and Loving God.

Continue fighting in your own strength or relinquish control to Him.

Are you presently in a battle? Are you tired of fighting? Is it alcohol, drugs, porn, gambling, depression, finances, relationships, health, marriage, anxiety, work, school.

STOP FIGHTING AND KNOW

Look back at verse 10 here and see, there is a command, but also a promise:

Stop fighting, cease striving, be still - there is the command.

And know that I am God - Part 1 of the 2-part promise.

The promise is God is with you in the battle. And the only way you will know and realize that is if you slow down long enough to surrender your strength and rely on the strength of God.

Some people in here right now need to hear this:

God isn't going to match your pace.

He will only wait for you to slow down so you can match His.

And if you don’t slow down, we’ll, you will wear out and stop all together, or HE will slow you down.

Because when you run at an unsustainable pace for an extended amount of time, something is going to suffer in your life.

We all need to rest in Him if we want to walk and run with God and that rest must come from Him

This is His message and promise.

Now, God’s presence in the battle doesn't mean you will be immune to pain and suffering, or that it will end or cease, or even turn out as you envision.

But what it means is that God is by your side; when you need Him most (which is always), He is always by your side.

He will carry you on His wings

He will be your strong tower

He will life you up when you are weak

He will renew your strength

He will be your hope your shield

He will fight for your good

He goes ahead of you and defends your back

He prepares a feast for you in the present battle

He will show you who He is and you will know Him!

IF YOU ALLOW HIM!

When you are present in the present presence of God, by being still, then you will know God - that is part one of the promise.

Part 2 is what follows.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!” Ps 46:10. ESV

Be Still, Stop Fighting, Cease Striving and What will happen if you do this?

You will know the presence of God

And part 2:

God’s Kingdom will advance into your life and into your surroundings!

You will see real results of God’s glory being made known to you and to others. God will be exalted in your life and world. His kingdom will come! His will will be done!

But only if you surrender yours!

When King Hezekiah saw the threat before Jerusalem, and the destruction left behind in the wake of the Assyrian Army - Hezekiah surrendered!

Not to Assyria, but to God!

14 Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers’ hands, read it, then went up to the LORD’s temple, and spread it out before the LORD. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD:

LORD God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you are God—you alone—of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. 16 Listen closely, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see. Hear the words that Sennacherib has sent to mock the living God. 17 LORD, it is true that the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands. 18 They have thrown their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but made by human hands—wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. 19 Now, LORD our God, please save us from his power so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, LORD, are God—you alone.

2 Ki 19:14–19 CSB

God’s response?

30 The surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward. 2 Ki 19:30. CSB

In other words - God’s presence and exaltation would be made known, both to Judah and the World. They would grow, deep and wide, just like God’s glory.

And this what God wants to do in our lives! Grow our roots deep in relationship with Him and produce fruit in abundance throughout our life!

So?

10 “Stop fighting, and know that I am God,

exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”

11 The LORD of Armies is with us;

the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Ps 46:10-11 CSB

So how? How do we start?

How do we Be Still, Stop Fighting, and Cease Striving!

Allow me to return to the 3 words I shared with you earlier that have made all the difference in my own walk with the Lord, leading me to Be Still, To Know God, and Submit to His Kingdom advances.

Solitude -

Solitude is the idea of being present in the present presence of our God!

Solitude, done right, is an amazing gift from God to help stabilize our busy and chaotic lives in order to enjoy and hear from God.

Solitude allows us to create a sacred space by designating a specific place. A designated and consistent place to be with God.

Solitude is getting ALONE with God and God alone. It isn’t hiding from the world, for we have been sent into the world, instead, solitude is Abiding in Christ. Setting a designated place and even time to be in the presence of God.

It allows us to go to God just as we are, without public pomp, portrayal, or pretense.

This is what Jesus was getting at in Matthew chapter 6 when He shared 3 times to seek the Lord in secret, And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Mt 6:4, 6, 18 CSB

And this is exactly what Jesus did - OFTEN

Luke 5:16 (CSB) Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

Jesus created a rhythm of seeking Solitude with the Lord for all occasions. Jesus would seek solitude to:

Listen to God: Mark 1:35; Luke 9:18

Get out of the spotlight - Matt 12:15, John 6:15

Prepare for a task or ministry - Matt 4:1; Mark 9:2

Replenish after a hard day or season - Mark 6:30-34; 45-47

Process grief - Matt 4:12, 14:13;

Prepare for making a big decision - Luke 6:12-13;

During distress - Matt 26:36-39

And more. Jesus did this! How much more do we need to be doing this in our lives!

Solitude affords you the opportunity to turn down the volume of your life, tune out the distractions in the world, still the busyness of our minds - all in order to hear the voice of God. Because the culture we live in is not conducive for a growing relationship with God. Our culture wants us to make ourselves or someone else our god.

And here is a key part about it - Solitude is NOT about trying to get something from God. It is all about just being WITH God!

Again, present in the present presence of the LORD.

Which does more for your life than getting something.

But, again, how? What are some ways we can seek solitude with God?

Well, first recognize some of the disruptors of solitude with God.

First, make TIME: If you have no time, you wont find solitude with God.

Jesus had the same 24 hours a day we had and still seemed to make it to the cross for you.

One practical thing to do to find solitude with God is to SCHEDULE A SPECIFIC TIME! Make it an appointment in your calendar. Cancel other things to clear way for time with God. And do this consistently!

Another one is PLACE: I quickly learned as a new parent my old ways of seeking solitude with God had to change. But I found ways to spend quantity and quality with God as I rocked Carissa to sleep.

She grew out of that and became mobile. Still kicking and screaming but now she could go seek me out wherever I was. I had to move my specific place of solitude somewhere else.

Now she is two, louder and prouder than ever before!

But if you dont have a specific time and place, you wont have a sacred space!

So, Over the last year, I built one!

What about you? Where can your time and place be?

Your home, a closet, a shed?

Or your car, your porch, or a walk or a drive?

Maybe it is a coffee shop or restaurant?

We need to build a specific time and place if you want to have a sacred space of solitude with God! Then Be Still and Know.

Solitude and

Silence…. - (Pause for 4 seconds)

It only takes 4 seconds for silence to begin to take its effect.

Silence can be an incredibly powerful tool but most people fear it.

Silence can seriously strengthen our relationship with God, but yet we try to fill it.

Let me just show you something before I jump into this one:

Blaise Pascal said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”

This is a quote from the 1600s! Way before computers, smartphones, and social media! Kind of shows ya things probably havent gotten better!

“All of humanity’s problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”

Why because you have to face yourself. Because it creates real opportunity to be fully present with a fully present God, just as you are.

This terrifies people.

But this is what God commands!

Be still - physically

But also be still - mentally

It means to stop talking, stop the noise, and let the heart beat of God fill it!

Ecclesiastes 5 Says

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. 2 Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ec 5:1–2.CSB

James 1 says

19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, James 1:19. CSB

The great Shema, repeated daily by the Jewish people, found in Deut 6, starts with the word: “LISTEN”

4 “Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Dt 6:4. CSB

That word, “listen” implies two things - to hear but also obey!

So when it talks about listening and obedience in Ecclesiastes and James, this is where it is coming from - a daily reminder to cease striving with your words and just allow the Lord to speak.

Silence helps us do this:

Silence thrusts us into the presence of God voice.

Silence forces us to set our heart's affection and our mind's attention only on God.

Silence gives us the opportunity to block out the distractions that keep us from hearing him.

This doesn’t mean you will hear an audible voice from God, but I think you will encounter a more powerful voice from God - for God speaks through scripture, His church, through circumstances, through blessings, challenges, and more all through His still small voice - but a voice of power like thunder.

Silence allows the Lord to impress on your heart and to your mind the truth and love you need to hear.

All while you sit in His presence.

Again, the goal isnt to get something from God, it is to be with Him.

So again, how? How can you do this?

Silence distractions

Get rid of your phone.

Turn off the tv.

Take a Fast from social media!

Better off, delete the apps!

Then silence all noise

Turn the radio off.

Take out your headphones.

Still your mind.

And let Gods words be what fill you.

Then be still and know!

Try a one-minute pause. Before you go into work, the house, or school allow God to have one minute of silence with you

Do breath prayers, breathing in Gods words and breathing out worship.

USe a journal and just record what you hear, see, think

And highlight what you believe the Lord is impressing on your heart.

Turn to scripture

Pray with a surrender.

And Worship! Because that is what silence is - a posture of worship before God allowing Him to speak first, to guide you into what you should pray for, and more!

And I mean it - seriously, we struggle with this so much because we surround ourselves with distractions and noise.

Did you know we have had the iphone and that generation of smartphones for less than 20 years, but ever since 2007 when they released our mental health issues have only increased every year?

Why? Because we refuse to disconnect from the world!

And here is the result of a life constantly connected to the world:

Again, some of us in here need to hear this today:

Constant connection with the world leads to disconnection with God. (REPEAT)

Constant noise from without but also within disrupts what you hear and process.

If you can't learn to be still, you won't know God intimately and personally.

This isn’t just for our teens. Most of them actually realize the harm phones and media can bring to them.

But I’ve seen adults of all ages ignore their families and God because of their tech. Setting an example for others to follow.

Constant connection with the world leads to disconnection with God.

Seek times of silence.

(Skip?)

We almost had a whole sermon built just on this word - silence, because Wednesday night I lost my voice and it didnt start coming back at all until late Friday and Saturday.

Part of that was rough because I could barely communicate. Even though it was only 2 days, It was rough not being able to talk to my family, or explain myself when I was misunderstood.

But being silent causes you to become more aware, to choose your words well, and to engage others in different ways.

And if you practice silence with God, it is even greater.

So maybe you need to take a FAST from speaking.

TO seek out silence in your mind and your heart.

To turn of the noise, eliminate distractions, and Just BE!

Solitude and Silence. Finally, Surrender

Spending time with God, and being Silent before him will lead you to know Him.

Be still and know that I am God.

But surrender is what brings about the rest of that promise.

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Surrender means to give it up, to submit.

Again, I mentioned this in my June Tie Line, but if you are ever swimming and find yourself starting to drown, the best thing you can do is to stop fighting.

If someone is trying to rescue you, stop fighting.

Because all your fighting is going to do is wear you out faster or hurt someone in the process, and cause you to both drown.

Ever since the fall of humanity in Gensis 3, we have been striving for control, fighting to keep our head about water, and it leaves us drowning.

STOP FIGHTING AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. Exalted among the nations, exalted in the earth.

When you find solitude and silence with God, it is going to change your life, but you have to surrender to it.

Even Jesus had to surrender to the Spirit of God’s leading on His life!

HOW MUCH MORE DO WE NEED TO DO IT!

James 4:7(CSB) Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

This is how the kingdom advances in our lives - when we surrender to the knowledge and work of God in our lives!

It is a crucial step to fulfilling the full shema - Listen and Obey - HEAR and FOLLOW THROUGH.

So how, practically?

Confession and Repentance

Biggest two words here - confession and repentance.

Confession is the act of admitting who is right and who is wrong.

Specifically that you are wrong, you do not have control over your life, and your will and way are not the right will and way.

It is agreeing with God that He is God and you are not, and that His will and way are what you need in life.

Repentance is the action upon that confession.

If you believe in JEsus and have surrendered to Him as Lord and Savior, that means you are living that out in your life.

If you are not, you are a liar.

Repentance is the action behind your confession - the changing of your mind and choosing to follow God’s lead.

This is you choosing to pursue God in faith and trust, instead of your self.

You do those two things, you are surrendering and submitting to God.

Solitude, silence, surrender.

Even Jesus practiced this - though he never needed to confess or repent because of sin. He was perfect yet He still submitted! This is part of why we follow Jesus!

He paved the way to salvation and redemption to God, but also showed us how to live it out on the other side! How to be still, know God, and experience victory in Him.

10 “Stop fighting, and know that I am God,

exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”

11 The LORD of Armies is with us;

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Ps 46:10–11. CSB

At the end of the day, in order to have an exterior life that serves the Lord, you must sustain it with an interior life that supports it.

Solitude, silence, surrender - this is how you will find your stronghold in the LORD.

And again, the Goal of solitude, silence, and surrender - it is not to get something from God

The goal of solitude is God getting you.

The goal of silence is God getting your mind.

The goal of surrender is God getting your heart and actions.

It is being present in the presence of an omnipresent God.

And when you make God your stronghold - when you back it up being being with Him, its not that you will walk away everytime with some great word or message or revelation,

No what is really happening is a holy God is going to begin doing a deeper work in you that isnt even understandable or utterable in human terms as you sit alone with Him.

And you will start to see Him, yourself, and this world more clearly.

ONE MORE TIP!

Find a place of Solitude

Go to God in Silence

Prepare yourself to Surrender

Bring only your Bible and Journal

And start with this- The Psalm 46:10 method.

Let me show ya

Be Still And Know That I Am God - (Repeat that as your prayer)

Be Still And Know That I Am (Who is God - He is who to you? Who in scripture?

Be Still And Know That I (use a journal & ask God to finish the sentences)

Be Still And Know That (Just take off a word, continue in prayer)

Be Still And Know (Ask the spirit what do you need to know)

Be Still And (Ask God what you need to surrender)

Be Still (End with a focus on being still - stop fighting - cease striving)

Be (The go in surrender - Just be a child of God - be in His presence)

So today -

Connect for the first time

Or Reconnect again.

Seek God as your stronghold!