Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I was on a short trip up to northern Minnesota, about three hours away. It’s a trip I drive a few times a year and look forward to. One of the things I love about the drive is having three hours of quiet time to pray. My life is a busy one and to have quiet time is something I often have to schedule into my life. Even then, like yours, it’s often interrupted. So when I have times when I know I won’t be interrupted, they are a gift to me.

I am probably a little different from most people I know in the respect that when I am in my car, I love the quiet. I seldom ever turn on the radio. When I go to sell the car one day, the radio will be like new. Although I love Christian music of all kinds and have a wonderful sound system that came with my car, I seldom use it. I don’t because as much as I love music, and I do, I have fallen in love with the quietness of my car to spend time with the Lord to pray whenever I have the chance.

Psalms 46:10 NLT says, “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 

The words “Be still” in this verse, don’t just mean don’t move. They mean, to lean upon and to take hold of, meaning, to recognize our own weaknesses and become comfortable with our dependency upon God. Those that learn to walk in this instruction to be still and listen to the Lord in prayer,  often become faith-filled pillars in their life-example before others, and service to God!

Have you ever had someone come to you desperate for help, who talked and talked but never gave you much entrance to respond and speak into their lives and help them? Instead, they kept interrupting you with the story of their impossible problems. Have you ever experienced that? I have, countless times! It’s a common occurrence! You respond, Will you please be quiet and listen to me? I am trying to tell you something. I am trying to help you! That is the implication behind these words “Be still and know that I am God.” 

When God says those words, “Be still and know that I am God,” He’s saying, Lean on me! Take hold of the fact that the God of the universe is your God. He’s saying, One day, every nation will come to this reality and know it for themselves. When that day comes, I will be honored by all for who I am. Since you know me now through Jesus Christ, be still and lean on me and learn of me. Bring your cares to me. Bring your petitions to me. Lay them at my feet. And because of your faith in my love for you, leave them there. Trust me and honor and praise me now for who I am—for I am your God. Because this is what He wants, Psalms 130:5 (NIV) speaks loudly to me. “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits. In His word I put my hope.”

I hope you know this. Whether you are consciously aware of it or not, you are always looking for answers and help. There are decisions and answers you need—big and small, on a regular basis. There are things you desire to do and do well and there are choices you have to make ever before you. You need help—God’s help with all that! If you’re smart, you know that. You need to learn to be still and hear from God through His Word and in prayer.

Whether you realize this or not, you are surrounded by people who are hurting and confused, and depressed. They think life and this world stink! People you’re surrounded by every day are looking for someone who has answers on what life’s about, and how to live it. When they see someone that seems to love life and have answers, they pay attention. Maybe from afar at first, but they draw closer over time. It’s God’s plan to shape you into that godly man or woman who not only makes the right decisions and does good things, but also has answers, help, and the wisdom of God.

People also need your prayers. More than you could ever know. And here is the funny thing. Most people—even those who don’t know God, will let you pray for them if you ask if you could. We all see difficult things happen to people around us. What you don’t see is when bad things didn’t happen to people—because you’ve prayed for them! What you don’t always see is the reason why good things happened to people—because you prayed for them! James 5:16 (NLT) says, “…pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” 

It is, for this reason, I like to take hold of quiet-time opportunities and meditate on the Lord and lean on Him. Waiting on the Lord is not just sitting silent. It’s talking with God and sharing your heart or questions with Him. It is being quiet and letting God speak to your heart or to you through His word. Sometimes I will turn on the Bible from an app on my phone and let it read the Bible to me. God always speaks to my heart when I do that.  And in those times, I am usually inspired to action—to do something for someone or to pray for someone. That’s what spending quiet time with God can initiate.

Be the boss of your life. Quit allowing everything to dictate your schedule. Create some quiet time with the Lord whenever you can, whether it’s three hours on a long drive or three minutes between appointments. It becomes addictive, powerful, and refreshing, and the intimacy and power of it are beyond words.

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” 

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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