Be Still and Know: A Study of Rest and Refuge

by Deb Burma

When our Lord says, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10), what does He mean? God's Word promises that in whatever kind of storm we find ourselves in, Jesus always comes to us. In Be Still and Know , unpack the promises found in Psalm 46 that are fulfilled in Christ. The first session looks at Psalm 46 in detail and examines storms of life. Then, in the following seven sessions, study narratives from the Gospels as Jesus meets various women who are experiencing their own storms and explore the perspective of each woman as He provides refuge, strength, help, and hope. Looking to the biblical and cultural contexts will allow you to better grasp the depth of Christ's care, purpose, and attention to every need. In the midst of today's storms, may God reveal His refuge for us in Christ, the one who has overcome the world.

248 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2021

About the author

With infectious warmth and wit, Deb Burma speaks with authenticity and passion. Faithful to God‘s Word, she shares His extravagant grace in Christ as she touches the hearts of women, meeting them in the moments of their everyday lives. (Visit Deb at her website, Extravagant Grace: www.debburma.com.)

Author of bestsellers, JOY: A Study of Philippians, and Living a Chocolate Life, Deb has penned an assortment of Christian-living books, Bible studies, retreat kits, and devotionals, including Be Still & Know, Leaning on Jesus, and her latest 2024 release, Immeasurably More: 100 Devotions on God's Extravagant Grace, all published by Concordia Publishing House (CPH). Her work has appeared in several periodicals, including Today's Christian Living.

Deb earned a degree in Economics and Finance, then followed the Lord’s lead to direct women’s and family ministries while raising a family and pursuing additional training in writing, speaking, and theology under the direction of noted authors, editors, and theologians.

Deb has spoken at national and regional conferences across the country, as well as retreats and ministry events. She has led workshops and sectionals for the Best Practices for Ministry (BPM) Conferences, the Women’s Leadership Institute’s National Conferences, and more. Her ministry travels have taken her to 30+ states and Canada, aboard a Caribbean cruise ship, and continue to lead her down the street to her home church.

Raised on a ranch in South Dakota, Deb and her family shared adventures residing in five different states before calling Nebraska home. Deb is a follower of Jesus, a pastor's wife, and the proud mother of three amazing young adults. She's a blogger, a women's ministry leader, and a self-proclaimed coffee/chocolate connoisseur. (She never travels without chocolate in one hand and a flavored hot latte in the other!) Above all, Deb is a grace-filled woman of God.

Reviews

[Darci Fraker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deb not only uses her personal experiences and the experiences of others but also weaves in different characters from the Bible to show I am not alone in the struggles of life. Not only have women in the Bible gone through similar situations, but she points out that the same God I worship was there with them that is with me today. Be Still & Know continually reminds me to go to God in all circumstances. Deb touches on all kinds of storms from our sin to sickness to shame, sorrow and more. We are reminded over and over that Jesus is our Refuge in all storms. The stories shared are so relatable along with her video study each week to dig deeper into God’s Word really make this study a perfect study by yourself or with a group. Be Still & Know is such a great study and it relates to every person reading it. ~ Darci Fraker

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many times life gives me storms. Storms that often involve my mental space. Be Still and Know is a refreshing and much needed study for when my thoughts are taking me away from Christ. Thank you, Deb, for another study I can reference again and again.

[Kelli Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

REFUGE! God is our refuge in the storms of life! This book entered my life in the middle of a storm. Through the reading of this book, God provided a calming peace in the midst of the storm. The unpacking of stories from the Bible provided peace and helped open my eyes more fully to the richness of the accounts. If you are experiencing a storm in life or if you ever have experienced a storm, this book is for you! Deb's writing is eloquent and insightful! It's worth every minute of your time!!

[Crystal Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This study reaches you where you are in life, be it little problems or big storms. Deb walks you through the great comfort God provides and gives you real life skills for resting in Him. Order one your yourself and more for special family and friends - it will be a blessing!

[Molly Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is Deb's newest study beautifully designed and beautifully written, but most importantly, it points us to our Beautiful Savior, who invites us to "be still" in His presence. Our God who fully knows us and fully loves us is present in the storms of our life. Sometimes He commands the storm to cease, and other times He allows the storms to rage, but no matter what He is present with us in the storm. He is our Lifeguard who walks on water!

[Michelle Diercks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Bible study is a timely resource to show us how we can find rest and refuge in Jesus through the storms of life. We can learn to Be still in His presence because of who we are as God's children.

You could use this study for personal devotions, small or large group Bible study, or a women's retreat.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this Bible study guide, start to finish. More than just a book, it truly felt like a journey, with all the ups and downs of growth and discovery along the way. In eight weeks, we’ve walked alongside women of the Bible who were in the midst of all kinds of storms: storms of sadness, shame, sickness, sin, self, sorrow, and more. Examining each of the ways that Jesus personally walked right into each woman’s storm with words of comfort, hope, and when necessary, gentle rebuke, we’ve seen how He fulfills the words of the psalmist who declares that “though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling,” He is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1-2, paraphrased)

Connecting scripture’s truth with relevant personal examples of her own “storm stories,” Deb points us again and again to the One who has claimed victory over every storm, Jesus Christ. Through well-worded discussion questions, opportunities to “read and reflect,” and ample journaling space, Deb invites her readers to recognize how the Lord comforts and sustains them through their own storms as well. The forty sessions are perfect for daily personal devotions or they can be studied in a group setting over the course of eight weeks (or even eight months)! This great resource carries the themes of Psalm 46 throughout, but pulls its narratives from the lives of REAL women who walked and talked with Jesus during His earthly ministry. We are intimately invited to see Him through their eyes. And once we’ve seen, we can be still and know, over and over again, that He is our great and mighty God!

[Eden Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Be Still and Know: A Study of Rest and Refuge, Deb Burma tackles real life topics in an honest way - all within the context of a Savior who meets us in the middle of wherever we are - storms or calm. If in storms, she points to the One who can calm the storm or calm the child IN the storm.

You will find this study very versatile, with prompts for discussion in group settings and reflection for personal study. You will find ways to incorporate visual faith practices if that is your style. There are supplemental videos available too!

If you are ready for some soul-tending R & R (rest and refuge), I highly recommend starting here.

[Kathy Pingel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked Joy: A Study of Philippians, you will love Be Still and Know. This is by far Deb’s best Bible study yet. Her grace-filled approach to Psalm 46 helps readers engage in Biblical and real life examples of walking with your Savior through life’s storms. Gripping the quiet places of your heart, you’ll study Psalm 46 in a compelling, convicting, and Christ-centered way. Comforting words of hope are found throughout the pages of this study. It’s a must read!

[Dinah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent Bible study on Psalm.46:10 that will truly get you into God's Word. A woman I truly respect has said to me, "Whenever you do a Bible study, your text should always be the Bible. Your Bible should be open." And with this study, Deb Burma has us digging into the scriptures to find the scriptural truths not only relevant since ancient times, but relevant for today's woman who is bombarded with anxiety, stress, struggle and overwhelm...Be Still and Know.

[Doris Gierhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to stay in the Word and learn to be still (content).

[Sheryl VerWey]

I love how the verse of "Be Still and Know" is woven into the study of eight other parts of the Bible and how God is there for us in each of these storms.

[Elizabeth Knaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A study of rest and refuge was beneficial for me! Our group of women who went through this together seemed to enjoy the content and conversation starters. The book is attractively designed.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Bible study for personal or group.