Quiet Strength in His Presence
In the quiet stillness, the soul is renewed by the presence of God.
Devotional Credit: His Victorious Indwelling compiled by Nick Harrison
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Today’s devotional from Nick Harrison draws us into a lesson that runs against the noise of the world. Both François Fénelon and Hannah Whitall Smith remind us that strength does not come from restless activity or constant effort. It comes instead from quiet trust, stillness, and the life of abiding in Jesus. The verse from John 8:28 anchors us: Jesus Himself only spoke what the Father taught Him. He did nothing independently, but lived fully dependent upon His Father’s presence.
Fénelon encourages us to turn away from the restless chatter of our own minds and instead quietly consult with God in simplicity. In those moments of quiet recollection, the soul rests in God rather than in its own striving. Smith carries this further, urging us to avoid noise and bustle, for they only weaken us. She calls us to sit silently before the Lord, to gather our wandering thoughts, and to find that His strength flows into us. The saints of old found their vigor in such recollection, not in their own effort.
The heart of today’s message is that dependence upon the Spirit is never passive, but deeply fruitful. In silence, in quiet surrender, the believer discovers that doing less in their own strength allows God to do more in and through them. Words become fewer but more effective. Actions become smaller in appearance, but richer in fruit. The soul that rests in Jesus is renewed with strength that noise and effort could never produce.
I am grateful for the voices of Fénelon and Smith, preserved for us in His Victorious Indwelling, who remind us of this eternal truth. Life in Christ is not frantic self-effort but quiet trust in the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our strength is renewed not by restless activity, but by waiting upon the Lord who delights to be our sufficiency.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, your strength is not found in noise or in restless activity. It is found in Me. Even My Son spoke only what I gave Him, living every moment in dependence upon My will. In Him you see the way of life I have given you.
When you feel the pull of hurried thoughts or the pressure to prove yourself, return to Me in quietness. Draw near in stillness, and I will renew your strength. My Spirit within you will guide you into truth, giving you words and actions that carry My life. The world will tell you to do more, speak more, and rush ahead. I call you to abide, to rest, and to trust.
In stillness you will know that I am God. In quiet surrender you will discover My strength flowing through you. I have given you all that you need for life and godliness in My Son. Depend on Me, for I am faithful. Your life is hidden with Christ in God, and nothing can separate you from My love.
Scripture References: John 8:28, Isaiah 30:15, Psalm 46:10, Matthew 11:28-30, John 15:5, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 2:9-10, Colossians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 1:3, 2 Peter 1:3, Romans 8:38-39.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of a phone that is constantly running too many apps at once. Its battery drains quickly, it overheats, and nothing works as it should. But when you close the apps and set it down to recharge, it is restored to full power. In the same way, your soul cannot keep running endlessly on its own. When you stop, grow quiet, and rest in the presence of the Lord, His life renews you.
Today, when I feel drained or pulled in too many directions, I can pause and say, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me in this moment.” In that yielding, He restores clarity, energy, and peace that no noise or striving could ever give.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, I thank You that my life is not sustained by my effort but by Your indwelling Spirit. You have already given me all I need in Jesus. I rejoice that in stillness I find strength, in quietness I find renewal, and in surrender I find fruitfulness. I rest today in the sufficiency of Your presence.