Psalm 46:10 has always been a favorite verse of mine because it really highlights that God does not need me to do anything in order to accomplish His will. The concept of “cease striving” that the author uses here is an image of working against God rather than with God. I know for me it is easy to get distracted and I find myself trying to force God’s hand in order to determine the path His has laid out for me. As I’ve written before this can be especially true as I am attempt to discover where He is calling me to serve long-term.
If you are like me and you sometimes find yourself doing things that are more “forcing” His will than “discovering” His will, STOP IT! CEASE STRIVING AGAINST HIM! You will see in the chorus we are not alone in our striving; we see the disciples striving against the storm that Jesus calms, we see Jonah striving to avoid Nineveh, and a Pharisee named Saul violently strived against the Gospel. All these people thought they were doing the will of God but it turned out they were simply deifying their own will. It is only when they yield to God’s will that they are able to go on to do the great things we find recorded in Scripture. I hope these lyrics are an encouragement to you to cease striving and to be still before Him. I would love to hear your thoughts. Blessings to you all!
Cease Striving, Be Still
Verse 1
I strive so hard to do the things I think that I should.
Running to and fro trying to do God’s will
Without taking the time to ask Him what that is.
I stop and look around and see
All my striving has accomplished nothing.
And I hear a whisper in the wind telling me…
Chorus
Cease striving, be still.
But I’m Your disciple sinking on the raging sea.
Cease striving, be still.
And my paths all lead to a fish who swallows me.
Cease striving, be still.
I’m headed to my Damascus and I can no longer see.
Cease striving, cease striving, cease striving, be still.
Verse 2
Cease striving to prove that you have value to Me.
You’re so focused on showing that you’re good enough
But you’ve forgotten the One who chose to die in your place.
You say, “I want to know God and to make Him known.”
But you can’t do that if I am just a branch in your vine.
You’ve got it all backwards, now come and follow My lead.
Chorus
Bridge
Cease striving and know that I am God
I will be exalted among the nations of earth.
O the Lord of Hosts is with us,
And the God of Jacob is our strength
Verse 3
So I strive to cease striving
To be done doing the work He’s already done.
He’s already prepared the works He has for me,
So that at the right time I could walk in them.
O Lord, I pray that my time is coming now
My time to start walking and to finally cease my striving.
Revised Chorus x2
Cease striving, be still.
Now I’m Your disciple trusting You will settle the sea.
Cease striving, be still.
Out of the fish and towards Nineveh is the new path for me.
Cease striving, be still.
I’m leaving my Damascus and I can finally see.
Cease striving, cease striving, cease striving, be still.
