the Practice of Stillness

8/10/2019

Stillness

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

Be Still...

There is a key to entering into a deeper place in our relationship with God. It's a key that not only allows us but helps us to hear His voice better. It's a key that makes it easier to sense His presence and His nearness... a key that will keep the noise and distraction of the things of the world at bay. It is stillness.

We can read a scripture like Psalm 46:10 and have an idea of what it might be saying to us. For years I looked at this verse and thought that it meant pretty much that when everything is said and done we should just believe God to fulfill His promises. This is true on one level. There is a deeper meaning that only seemed to become clear to me as I spent more time with a focused desire to get closer to the Lord and live a more Spirit-led life according to Galatians 5:25.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
Be Still with expectation....

Being still for me is a time of coming before God and just sitting in His presence. It isn't a time of prayer or worship, it not a time of replaying the day in my mind or focusing on the issues in my life. It is simply sitting in God's presence and being with Him. I don't meditate on the scriptures normally when I am still before God but I do keep an expectation in my heart that as I spend time with Him that He will manifest Himself to me in some way.

When people have asked "What do you think about as you sit in stillness", this is my answer... I keep in my heart an expectation.

You see, we hear a scripture like John 10:27 and sometimes we wonder why we don't hear better.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)

It is so very easy to let the distractions of everyday life to crowd out that still, small voice that God can be speaking to us and even answering the desires of our hearts and we might never know it. Let me give you a practical example... If you were watching television in a room crowded with people taking, and suddenly an important breaking news bulletin came over the TV, you would more than likely ask everyone to be quiet so that you could hear this important message. How much more do we need to hear the important voice of God?

Be Very Still...

What is stillness exactly? The dictionary says that it is the absence of movement and sound. The complete absence? Yes. Just how much do we desire to make this heavenly connection? In complete stillness my focus is upon my proximity to the Lord and my expectation of being with Him. If I am moving about or listening to natural sounds it shifts my focus from the spirit to the natural, even if unintentionally. Many times we have to train ourselves to stop allowing random thoughts to invade this stillness. If you are just learning this discipline, I suggest that you think about a scripture, not to analyze it but rather to allow the Lord to give you an understanding that perhaps you had not considered before. Another thing you might do if various pictures try to invade your thoughts is to picture the Lord's face. (Or what you imagine the Lord might look like)

The Bible says to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This is something we must actively do.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Be Still a While...

As I began to put this practice into place in my own life, there was a period of learning that took place. I would constantly have to tell my thoughts to be still or my body would want to move around, or I would even begin to wonder if this had the value I had heard that it had. It was all part of the process of learning to be still. In the early days I would wait upon God in stillness for 10 minutes and sometimes even that was a struggle. I gradually increased the amount of time I spent in stillness, but the real breakthrough happened as I began to encounter the Lord and the things of His Kingdom as I practiced stillness before Him.

Once Heaven began to open around me and my life, the struggle to wait on God and be still was gone. What could have happened that was so powerful to take the struggle away from me? Encounters with God...real and powerful encounters with God.

That's the place where I desire for you to go... that place of encounters with God. Everything changes in His presence!

God bless you
Michael

16 Comments

Troy Smith

8/15/2019 07:05:56 am

This is great! I am conscious of the Lord all through the day as I'm doing things, but I really see the value of being conscious of him and not being distracted by anything else. Thanks!

Chrissy Jaselskis

2/3/2020 03:09:51 am

Thank you Mike for sharing. You always make things so simple. I love that you don't just tell us about a topic, but actually explain what it means and how to access it for ourselves. Please keep writing and sharing! God bless you and your family. May the Lord expand your tent pegs and bless you with greater encounters with His presence, provision, and blessings!

Keo Antrim link

8/3/2020 10:43:21 am

I love how you referenced scriptures, the understanding/revelation of it, and the application of it while keeping everything so simple that a child can understand it. It's priceless! Thanks so much for sowing into the Bride of Christ...how great is your reward in heaven. Praying that our Abba Papa blesses your socks off on earth as well.

Charles Via

8/16/2020 03:49:07 pm

Thank you Sir. Such encouragement as I embark on this adventure!
The Lord has been leading this way! You have certainly increased my expectation!
Many thanks!

Dr. Esther Mwangi

10/1/2020 05:23:29 am

Thanks Michael for your sharing. It has motivated me to sit still before the Lord. The Lord told me that as I do so any of these things can happen... He said:-
a) I might speak to you
b) I might show you something
c) I might quietly take you somewhere to show you more of me
d) I might inundate you with my presence
e) All the above are good for you. Just focus on me quietly and expectantly.

Benjamin E Spencer

12/6/2020 03:16:03 pm

It was so refreshing to read some of your blog's and a few of your experiences.
I have been a follower of Jesus for a few decades now.
I was serving time in prison for armed robbery when I had a encounter with a angel that turned my life around.
Then a short time later a real life encounter with Jesus Him self .
Been nearly 43 years now but still seems like yesterday to me.
I have met many people over the years.
But you are like living water!
Keep your still time with the Father as I do every morning.
God bless you

Sandra Stacey

5/10/2022 08:30:30 pm

Praise God fir turning lives around. He is a great Father. Last Fall I was encountering with refreshing words of His love and Faithfulness and laying in my bed, being quiet and still. Before bed I was full of joy and being light hearted I asked Him if my angel was here with me. I said Daddy I haven't seen one yet but I would like to and the next day I felt a finger poke me on the thigh in the morning. I didn't see anyone but felt a poke and presence. =) Still growing in trusting and Discerning of spirits. Thank you for writing, Mike. I have two of your books the King's Decree and Supernatural power of God. I am in a moment of desiring the Supernatural power of God to show up in my circumstances. Expectations is great confirming word. He is giving me a book on this .

Josefine Jones

2/20/2022 04:17:53 am

He that dwelleth IN the secret place of the most High ...or let let us simply say abide IN ME and my WORD IN YOU ....to do so you must be in King Jesus presence and the supernatural will become more real than any other reality.

5/10/2022 08:31:58 pm

Thank you, Josefine!

Douglas Mukasa

12/1/2022 09:33:37 am

Thank you Michael I came here for a question what do u do as you wait in stillness. I have been going now for a few weeks I have managed to be able to silence my mind but what am I meant to do in this time. I tend to worship now all the times I do this I don't seem to get very far with my spiritual escapades. I have read most of the books you have released Translation by Faith, Supernatural transportation, Powerful keys, Waiting on God. This has stirred me up but do I need to praise or do anything or just sit down in stillness? Should I get How to see in the spirit? Are there any deals going on Amazon? Any help offered will highly be appreciated.

Thokozile

4/14/2023 06:16:23 am

Thank you Mike for teaching us. I don't hear God I'm to practice to be still Thank you

Douglas

4/14/2023 06:23:44 am

We continue and following his teachings has worked wonders @Thokozile

Sidiqat Wallace

8/8/2023 04:34:13 am

Amen…thank you. This very scripture about being still and knowing that He is God..He gave me several days ago. A reminder much needed!

Lito dela Peña link

2/25/2024 10:15:56 pm

I've delved into your book "Waiting on God," and numerous inquiries have arisen within me, particularly concerning translation and translocation. After absorbing its contents, as I lay on my bed, an overwhelming sound engulfed me, catapulting me into the heavens at an astonishing speed. Initially gripped by fear, I eventually surrendered to the Holy Spirit. I beheld the vast cosmic universe, delving even beneath the sea, and in a split second, traversed the globe. This extraordinary journey extended further, with the Lord transporting me to countries such as Brazil, Canada, and the USA, where I found myself interceding for others.
The experiences are perplexing, yet the mercy of God prevails. I am eager to deepen my understanding of this supernatural life, marked by encounters with angels and face-to-face meetings with the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord, in His sovereign will, continue to instruct me. I express gratitude for your guidance through your books, and may the Lord persist in using you for His glory alone. - from Philippines

Marcia

1/27/2025 11:42:06 am

Thank you Lito Pena,
I’m originally from Brasil!

3/5/2024 05:54:57 pm

February 16, 2024
Around midnight, immersed in the pages of the Bible, I felt a compelling urge to delve into Michael Van Vlymen's book, "Waiting on God." The stirring of my spirit intensified as memories flooded back, recalling my previous exploration of the art of waiting on God in stillness.
Positioned in the comfort of a sleeping posture, I closed my eyes, anticipating the possibility of divine revelation. Minutes ticked by without any discernible occurrence, and just as I was on the verge of relinquishing hope, a subtle sensation akin to a spiraling motion unfolded. It felt as if a doorway to the extraordinary was about to open.
In that moment, an unexpected ascent propelled me into the celestial realms. Initially gripped by fear, I silently surrendered to the divine will, uttering in my mind, "Lord, if you wish to reveal something, I submit to your guidance." Instantaneously, fear dissipated, and before me unfolded a breathtaking sight of cosmic stars and ethereal clouds, ultimately revealing the countenance of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gradually, I began descending with a gentle touch, landing softly until I found myself back in my bed. Opening my eyes, I realized that I hadn't succumbed to slumber; instead, I had undergone a profound spiritual translation.