Title
A Quiet Place 安静之处
Date
04/12/2026
Description
Psalm 145:18–19: The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
诗篇 145:18–19: 耶和华靠近一切求告祂的人，就是诚心求告祂的人。敬畏祂的，祂必成就他们的心愿，也必听他们的呼求，拯救他们。 (page 1028)
Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God.
诗篇 46:10: 你们要安静，要知道我是神。(page 926)
Lamentations 3:26: It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
耶利米哀歌 3:26: 人仰望耶和華，靜默等候他的救恩，這原是好的。(page 1341)
Matthew 5:6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
马太福音 5:6: 饥渴慕义的人有福了！因为他们必得饱足。(page 1563)
Jeremiah 29:13: You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
耶利米书 29:13: 你们寻求我，若专心寻求我，就必寻见。 (page 1280)
John 15:5: I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.
约翰福音 15:5: 我是葡萄树，你们是枝子… …离了我，你们就不能做什么。(pg 1749)
1 John 4:18: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.
约翰一书 4:18: 爱里没有惧怕；爱既完全，就把惧怕除去。(page 1981)
Return to the Quiet Place
回到安静之处
诗篇 145:18–19: 耶和华靠近一切求告祂的人，就是诚心求告祂的人。敬畏祂的，祂必成就他们的心愿，也必听他们的呼求，拯救他们。 (page 1028)
Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God.
诗篇 46:10: 你们要安静，要知道我是神。(page 926)
Lamentations 3:26: It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
耶利米哀歌 3:26: 人仰望耶和華，靜默等候他的救恩，這原是好的。(page 1341)
Matthew 5:6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
马太福音 5:6: 饥渴慕义的人有福了！因为他们必得饱足。(page 1563)
Jeremiah 29:13: You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
耶利米书 29:13: 你们寻求我，若专心寻求我，就必寻见。 (page 1280)
John 15:5: I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.
约翰福音 15:5: 我是葡萄树，你们是枝子… …离了我，你们就不能做什么。(pg 1749)
1 John 4:18: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.
约翰一书 4:18: 爱里没有惧怕；爱既完全，就把惧怕除去。(page 1981)
Return to the Quiet Place
回到安静之处
Creator
Pastor: Mike Koger
Contributor
Hillside United Methodist Church
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
Transcription
The Quiet Place
Psalm 145:18,19
It’s easy to get caught up in all the to-do’s
“There’s always something that needs to be done.”
Always chasing. Always thinking about the next step and almost missing the current step. Not being in the present moment.
…and the Present Moment is All That We Really Have.
“Slow down, young man.” (I can still hear that voice calling out to me.)
For years now we have heard we live in a “microwave culture”
Lamentations 3:26: it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
How often do we actually take time to “wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD?”
One of my favorite (and maybe one of my most quoted) Bible verses is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I Am God.”
This verse has always meant so much to me – even though it can be such a challenge for someone like me to actually practice it.
I have always had to be very deliberate in order to follow this lesson, whether it meant locking myself away, taking a walk on a nature trail or even going away to a monastery.
This season of my life has made it more essential to practice this, and it was through such a deliberate effort that this message began to take shape.
I hope there is some learning here that maybe you can benefit from, too.
Will it require a desperate moment for you to “Be Still and Know that He is GOD?”
Are you willing to embrace a new way of living?
The old ways won’t go away quickly or easily. (routines, habits, learned behaviors)
It will require Divine help – and with your humble cooperation.
Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Good News: New Beliefs can grow into a new reality.
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”
“We all find time to do what we really want to do.”
So, in other words, this message won’t be for everybody.
You will have to really want this shift in your daily life.
David Wilkerson: "When God wants to bring you into a new place, He first brings you to the end of yourself."
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6)
Jeremiah 29:13: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
so – are you still with me? Are you in?
“The LORD is near to all who call on him…”
drift.
It’s easy to get off track and find yourself in a place or situation you weren’t meant to be in. A little compromise. A little comfort. A little distraction.
Next thing you know… ( )
Drift doesn’t announce itself. It just slowly pulls you away.
For us to Be Still and Know we have to release the distractions that take our attention off of God’s Presence
Those “distractions” could also be called “attachments”
Attachments are like unnecessary chains – holding us back from the higher objectives we should be focused on
“The greatest enemy of stillness can often be distraction.”
Col 3:2: “Set your affection on things above…”
“fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.”
Where are we pointing our hearts today?
Psalm 145:18 states: "You draw near to those who call out to you, listening closely, especially when their hearts are true"
Not being at peace is when your soul is still attached to outside distractions.
These distractions can be attachments to who we think we must be – outside our identity in Christ
Jesus said “My yoke is easy”
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life”
Matt 5:3, (Jesus taught) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," is recognizing our own spiritual bankruptcy and utter dependence on God's grace, rather than self-righteousness.
Being "poor in spirit" means emptying oneself of self-assurance to receive God's kingdom and His righteousness.”
“God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness”
In the still quiet moment, we come Him just as we are.
Attachments and all.
How else can we be made free?
If we could do it ourselves we would have already done it.
Paul: “I will show you a still more excellent way.” (1 Cor 12:31)
LOVE
When we “arise and go to our Father” we need to come to Him in faith, trusting in His love, His grace, His mercy.
1 John 4:18: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
“If we really love God, we will not be afraid of him. We cannot love him completely and also be afraid. We would only be afraid of God if we thought that he would punish us. So, if someone is afraid that God will punish them, it shows that they do not completely know God's love.”
When we come to God, do we really trust that He loves us and has made us righteous through the blood of Jesus?
from last week:
Romans 5:10,11: Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion!
And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living reconciled to God—all because of Jesus Christ!
There is a saying that says, 'To lose yourself is to find yourself.'
From a Christian perspective, we know “Apart from Him (Jesus) we can do nothing.”
John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
This is the scriptural, spiritual answer to “There’s always something that needs to be done.”
We have something in us called the “Fight or Flight” or “Stress Response”
The fight-or-flight response is your body's natural, automatic reaction to stress or danger. It triggers physiological changes, such as a faster heart rate and tenser muscles, that prepare your body to deal with the source of the stress.
This can be helpful in the short term, but if it goes on too long without giving your body a chance to relax, it can have negative effects on your physical and mental health.
We can remain in a state of Fight or Flight – or we can “be still and know”
That “Power, Love and a Sound Mind” is starting to make even more sense now, isn’t it?
John 17:22,23: For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy. You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me.
Psalm 119:130: Break open Your Word within me until revelation-light shines out!
“Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.”
Psalm 145:18: You draw near to those who call out to you, listening closely, especially when their hearts are true.
In every situation, the pattern was the same
First, the reaction Then, acceptance Then, surrender
When you release resistance and trust that God knows the path, solutions appear in ways you couldn’t plan. You don’t need to control everything. You don’t need to fear negative thoughts. You simply need to return to trust.
God is the solution. God is the way.
So today, let go of fear. Accept where you are.
And trust that you are being guided.
Wait upon the Lord and let your strength be renewed
Meditate on God’s Name – Jehovah Shalom
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Right now, we come to You—not with performance, but with open hearts.
You are near to all who call on You in truth.
Lord, we confess—we’ve been busy, distracted, pulled in too many directions.
We release the striving. We release the fear. We release the need to control everything.
And we choose to be still.
Teach us to abide in You. To rest in Your love. To trust in Your goodness.
For those who feel overwhelmed—be their peace.
For those who feel distant—draw them near.
For those who feel bound—set them free.
We trust You. We rest in You. We return to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Psalm 145:18,19
It’s easy to get caught up in all the to-do’s
“There’s always something that needs to be done.”
Always chasing. Always thinking about the next step and almost missing the current step. Not being in the present moment.
…and the Present Moment is All That We Really Have.
“Slow down, young man.” (I can still hear that voice calling out to me.)
For years now we have heard we live in a “microwave culture”
Lamentations 3:26: it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
How often do we actually take time to “wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD?”
One of my favorite (and maybe one of my most quoted) Bible verses is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I Am God.”
This verse has always meant so much to me – even though it can be such a challenge for someone like me to actually practice it.
I have always had to be very deliberate in order to follow this lesson, whether it meant locking myself away, taking a walk on a nature trail or even going away to a monastery.
This season of my life has made it more essential to practice this, and it was through such a deliberate effort that this message began to take shape.
I hope there is some learning here that maybe you can benefit from, too.
Will it require a desperate moment for you to “Be Still and Know that He is GOD?”
Are you willing to embrace a new way of living?
The old ways won’t go away quickly or easily. (routines, habits, learned behaviors)
It will require Divine help – and with your humble cooperation.
Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Good News: New Beliefs can grow into a new reality.
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.”
“We all find time to do what we really want to do.”
So, in other words, this message won’t be for everybody.
You will have to really want this shift in your daily life.
David Wilkerson: "When God wants to bring you into a new place, He first brings you to the end of yourself."
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6)
Jeremiah 29:13: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
so – are you still with me? Are you in?
“The LORD is near to all who call on him…”
drift.
It’s easy to get off track and find yourself in a place or situation you weren’t meant to be in. A little compromise. A little comfort. A little distraction.
Next thing you know… ( )
Drift doesn’t announce itself. It just slowly pulls you away.
For us to Be Still and Know we have to release the distractions that take our attention off of God’s Presence
Those “distractions” could also be called “attachments”
Attachments are like unnecessary chains – holding us back from the higher objectives we should be focused on
“The greatest enemy of stillness can often be distraction.”
Col 3:2: “Set your affection on things above…”
“fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.”
Where are we pointing our hearts today?
Psalm 145:18 states: "You draw near to those who call out to you, listening closely, especially when their hearts are true"
Not being at peace is when your soul is still attached to outside distractions.
These distractions can be attachments to who we think we must be – outside our identity in Christ
Jesus said “My yoke is easy”
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life”
Matt 5:3, (Jesus taught) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," is recognizing our own spiritual bankruptcy and utter dependence on God's grace, rather than self-righteousness.
Being "poor in spirit" means emptying oneself of self-assurance to receive God's kingdom and His righteousness.”
“God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness”
In the still quiet moment, we come Him just as we are.
Attachments and all.
How else can we be made free?
If we could do it ourselves we would have already done it.
Paul: “I will show you a still more excellent way.” (1 Cor 12:31)
LOVE
When we “arise and go to our Father” we need to come to Him in faith, trusting in His love, His grace, His mercy.
1 John 4:18: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
“If we really love God, we will not be afraid of him. We cannot love him completely and also be afraid. We would only be afraid of God if we thought that he would punish us. So, if someone is afraid that God will punish them, it shows that they do not completely know God's love.”
When we come to God, do we really trust that He loves us and has made us righteous through the blood of Jesus?
from last week:
Romans 5:10,11: Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion!
And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living reconciled to God—all because of Jesus Christ!
There is a saying that says, 'To lose yourself is to find yourself.'
From a Christian perspective, we know “Apart from Him (Jesus) we can do nothing.”
John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
This is the scriptural, spiritual answer to “There’s always something that needs to be done.”
We have something in us called the “Fight or Flight” or “Stress Response”
The fight-or-flight response is your body's natural, automatic reaction to stress or danger. It triggers physiological changes, such as a faster heart rate and tenser muscles, that prepare your body to deal with the source of the stress.
This can be helpful in the short term, but if it goes on too long without giving your body a chance to relax, it can have negative effects on your physical and mental health.
We can remain in a state of Fight or Flight – or we can “be still and know”
That “Power, Love and a Sound Mind” is starting to make even more sense now, isn’t it?
John 17:22,23: For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy. You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me.
Psalm 119:130: Break open Your Word within me until revelation-light shines out!
“Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.”
Psalm 145:18: You draw near to those who call out to you, listening closely, especially when their hearts are true.
In every situation, the pattern was the same
First, the reaction Then, acceptance Then, surrender
When you release resistance and trust that God knows the path, solutions appear in ways you couldn’t plan. You don’t need to control everything. You don’t need to fear negative thoughts. You simply need to return to trust.
God is the solution. God is the way.
So today, let go of fear. Accept where you are.
And trust that you are being guided.
Wait upon the Lord and let your strength be renewed
Meditate on God’s Name – Jehovah Shalom
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Right now, we come to You—not with performance, but with open hearts.
You are near to all who call on You in truth.
Lord, we confess—we’ve been busy, distracted, pulled in too many directions.
We release the striving. We release the fear. We release the need to control everything.
And we choose to be still.
Teach us to abide in You. To rest in Your love. To trust in Your goodness.
For those who feel overwhelmed—be their peace.
For those who feel distant—draw them near.
For those who feel bound—set them free.
We trust You. We rest in You. We return to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.