June 17, 2026 – Stillness
Streams – Ezekiel 1:25 – “Then there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood with lowered wings.” Cowman’s question leads into something important to take to heart, “What is the significance of these words: ‘They stood with lowered wings’? People often ask, ‘How can I hear the voice of the Lord?’ This is the secret: these ‘living creatures’ (v. 5) heard the voice when ‘they stood with lowered wings.’ We have all seen a bird flutter its wings while standing in place. But in this verse, we are told that ‘there came a voice…as they stood with lowered wings.’”
Here’s the important point, “Do you ever sit, or even kneel, before the Lord and yet are conscious of a fluttering in your spirit? If so, you are not exhibiting a sense of genuine stillness while in His presence…. Oh, how much energy we waste! How much time we lose by refusing to lower the wings of our spirit and become totally quiet before Him! Imagine the calm, the rest, and the peace that will come as we wait in His presence until we hear from Him! Then, and only then, we too may speed ‘back and forth like flashes of lightning’ (v. 14), going directly to ‘wherever the spirit would go’ (v. 20).”
Days – “The glory of the Lord shall be thy reward” (Isa. lviii. I). Simpson reminds us that, “He comes by our side as our helper; nay, more. He comes to dwell within us, to be the life in our blood, the fire in our thought, the faith within us, both in inception and consummation…. If we have caught any help that has relieved us of a troubled morning, it has been of Him….. If once we take Him fully as the strength of our life, and our all in all, we shall be able to lay aside all the hindering things that press upon us day by day.”
JC – “Learn to laugh at yourself more…. When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening…. Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places…. Do not miss the Joy of My Presence by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.” See Matthew 11:28 and Proverbs 17:22.”
Prevail #168 – Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Larson asks, “What’s perfect peace? The phrase in this passage translates this way: Shalom. When our thoughts are fixed on the Lord, He touches our hearts with His peace, tranquility, rest, safety, friendship, prosperity, and well-being. Wow. He is the essence of all these things, and He imparts himself to us as we draw closer still…. We don’t spend enough time pondering who God is an what He is willing to impart to us. His love changes everything.”
JA – “SEEK TO BECOME increasingly receptive and responsive to Me…. waiting for Me, trusting in My timing…. Ask Me to open your eyes to see all that I have for you…. I want you to trust Me enough to let Me lead.”
JL – “My Shepherd, I long to lie down in green pastures of Peace. Please help me to unwind, resting in the Presence of my Shepherd – You! This electronic age keeps me “wired” [fluttering my wings] much of the time, too tense to find You in the midst of my moments. Yet You built into my very being the need for rest…. I’ve discovered that the more I depend on You, the more You shower Peace on my path. Thank You, Lord! In Your tender Name, Jesus, Amen.” See Psalm 23.
