Sit Still New

The Power of Waiting: Finding Strength in Stillness

Bible Passage: Psalm 107:28–32

Summary: In Psalm 107:28–32, the psalmist illustrates how people cry out to the Lord in their distress and how He responds by delivering them from their troubles. The emphasis is on the importance of sitting still and waiting on God for His rescue and guidance. We have to remember that God is present and active even in times of uncertainty, and we have to trust His timing, not our own. Sitting still and waiting on God is a demonstration of a disciples true faith. Waiting on God shows a disciple’s belief that God is aware of our troubles and is working on our behalf. And it also shows our level of maturity in our Christian experience. Just as the psalmist speaks of crying out to God for help, believers today should have the same recognition that Jesus is our Savior, and He is one who delivers us from sin and despair, and patience and faithfulness is key to demonstrating our faith in our Savior.

Big Idea: By learning to sit still and wait on God, we open ourselves to His divine guidance, recognizing that true strength is found in stillness as we trust in His perfect timing.

Recommended Study: You might explore different translations of Psalm 107 in your Logos library to capture varied nuances in wording and tone. Look into commentaries on waiting in the Psalms, particularly focusing on the literary and theological implications of waiting for divine intervention. Consider studying the historical context of Israel’s cries for help to better understand the depth of their need for patience and trust in God.

1. Crying Out in Crisis

Psalm 107:28

Growing up often times I would hear the saying, “Real men and women don’t cry.” So when I found myself crying, or about to cry, I would try and hide it from others. But as I’ve matured in my Christian relationship with God, I’ve come to find that saying a bit contradicting. Because what the Bible tells me in Psalm 107:28, is that true disciples will cry out unto the Lord in their times of trouble. The Bible has taught me that crying out to the Lord in desperation acknowledges my dependence on Him. And I don’t know about you, but I depend on the Lord each and every day of my waking life. I’ve come to the realization that my abilities to get through tough situations without God just doesn’t compare to the abilities I have when I include it Him situations.

2. Calming the Storm

Psalm 107:29

When we sit still and wait on Him in the midst of our storms, God will come in and give us peace. Just like He calms the storm in Psalm 107:29, He calms our anxieties, our fear, and our self-doubts when we trust His presence and guidance in our lives. Being still shows our faith in God, and shows that we rely on God’s power to calm the storms that we encounter in our walk with Him.

3. Guided to Havens

Psalm 107:30

Maybe recognize how God's guidance leads us to 'desired havens,' illustrating the fulfillment of waiting on His timing. Encourage reflecting on personal journeys where patient waiting led to God’s perfect provision. This passage encourages trust that His deliverance aligns with His plans, bringing us safely to His purposes.

4. Gratitude for Guidance

Psalm 107:31

Consider urging gratitude for God’s faithful love and mighty acts of deliverance. Acknowledge that waiting fosters appreciation for His timing and interventions in our lives. This posture of gratitude strengthens faith, helping us to joyfully acknowledge His sovereignty and care in all circumstances.

5. Celebrating Deliverance

Psalm 107:32

Perhaps call the congregation to praise and community acknowledgment of God’s works. Highlight how collective worship strengthens communal bonds and encourages each other’s journey of waiting. Encourage celebrating His deliverances publicly, reinforcing that strength is found in shared testimonies of faith and patience.

But, in order to truly understand sitting and waiting on God’s response, I want to break down the word “still” in 3 different ways.

1. Still. As in a still state of mind. Which means calm and quiet: Free from noise or disturbance.

a. Too many times we find ourselves doing the complete opposite when we are faced with having to make a decision in our lives. Simply because the biggest challenges our faith has are fears and self doubt.

b. If you look at Luke Chapter 10 when Jesus comes into town and is welcomed into the house of Martha and Mary, there are two completely different reactions that take place.

i. Martha is running herself crazy trying to serve. The Hebrew word used to describe Martha’s behavior is “periespato” (pear-ri-spa-oh) which conveys the idea of being pulled or dragged in different directions.

ii. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus. And she listens.

2. If you look over into 1 Kings 19:12 after Elijah flees from Jezebel and has gone on a 40 day journey in the wilderness, he is asleep in a cave on Mount Horeb when God speaks to Him.

a. The Bible tells me that there came a strong wind that broke rocks off the mountain, an earthquake, and a fire, but the Lord was not in either one. After all this came a still, small voice.

b. Which brings me to my second definition of the word still. Which means like a whisper.

i. God’s voice is soft and may be hard to hear if you focus your attention and ears on what is happening around you.

3. Which brings me to my final breakdown of the word still. But this time I want to spell it a little different. This time I’m spelling it S-T-E-A-L. As in to steal away. Which means to leave a place quietly; secretly; without drawing much attention.

a. If you look over to Matthew 6:6 when Jesus is speaking, He tells the crowd “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

i. The verse says when thou hast shut thy door. Let’s rephrase that. When thou hast shut out all disturbances. When thou has shut out all noises, THEN you pray to thy Father.

ii. In order to truly be still, and to listen the small still voice, you have to steal away to your prayer closet.