If we are going to hear God, there must be quietness. Is this not also true in natural communication? What does it mean to be still before God? Our spirits must not be troubled, upset by some circumstance, or anxiously worrying or fretting. If this is our condition, the only thing God can speak to us is to be still. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6,7). If we are not in a place of stillness, we are not in a place where we can be led.
How do we come to a place of stillness? The scripture just quoted gives us the answer. We take everything to God and leave it there. He is the One who is over all. He cares for us. We cannot make one hair of our heads black or white by worrying. Our place is to trust God. As we come before the Lord in prayer, through all of the noise and confusion we will hear the Lord speaking to our hearts. "Will you trust Me in that? Will you leave that situation in My hands?" Our place is to believe the Lord--to say, "Yes, Lord."
As we respond in active obedience, and leave each thing in God's hands, the storm in our souls will begin to subside. It may not come in one day, or even in one week. But as we continue before the Lord, finding our rest in Him, quietly and surely the peace will come. What a precious place, when we have ceased from our labors! Now, all we want to know is the Lord's direction to our hearts. "What do you want me to do, Lord?" "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). To hear God, I must be quiet. That is a great working.