“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.*
He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3a
*still waters: waters of rest
“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” “But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” “And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” “Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.” “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:15-16; 6:12,46; 9:28; John 6:15
In this madding world it is a challenge to find and keep quiet. The constant hum and thrum of noise, demands, schedules, responsibilities makes for anything but a quiet heart. But in Christ, we carry this quiet within, guarded by the jealous Keeper of our soul. Daily, and moment by needed moment, we can rise in the Spirit above the clamor to the heavenlies. (Psalm 121:5,7-8; 1 Peter 2:25)
What priority have we made for a time of keeping quiet? Where and when do we find a place away from the constant beat of people and prattle and pressures, a vantage point from where we can set our minds and hearts clearly on things above rather than the blur of things of earth? It is here that we hear from the Lord, gain His vision, and seize His promises. It is here we find refreshment away from the whir and grind of all that’s unpleasant, broken, even tortuous, in His love and eternal hope of resolution and restoration. (Habakkuk 2:1-3; 3:17-19; Colossians 3:1-2)
“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
‘Lord, lead me on to higher ground.’
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” ~John Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922)
Lord, make me diligent to be still and quiet with Thee, to learn of and love You more. Clarify my vision, renew my spirit, and equip me to be a light and joy that points the noisy world to You.
As the rain and snow 