Standing Still

Standing Still (Exodus 14:13-14)

Exodus 14:13-14, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

The Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea just as Pharaoh had planned when he and his armies went after the Israelites in that location. Mountains were on two sides of them; the Red Sea was on one side, and Pharaoh's armies were on the other. So no matter which way they looked they were trapped. Such situations are those which God especially likes to work because it shows His power and wisdom much more than in a lesser difficulty. Israel had not come to this place by disobedience, but by obedience to God's leading. God showed Himself mightily and proved He would take care of the problem if they would trust in Him.

Moses took an important step toward victory. He responded with faith when the people were terrified. With eyes of faith, Moses could see the victory that was ahead. He saw what God would do. In the same manner, we are not to fear tomorrow for God is already there. David addressed the issue of fear in Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Isaiah told us how to have peace. Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Panic would mean death for God's people here. NOTICE: The same trial which shows one man's faith and confidence in God may reveal other men's weaknesses. The people were weak, but Moses was strong in faith. He learned to walk with God. That is why he told them to fear not, stand still, and see the salvation or deliverance of the Lord.

Spurgeon said, "Faith knows that whenever you get a black envelope from Heaven's post office, there is a treasure in it. God has treasures for you and me. Some of those treasures are found in the fire. The three Hebrews found the pearl of peace and the presence of God in the fiery furnace. Moses said, ‘Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.’" God wants us to be patient and watch Him work.

Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” We are to be dormant in difficulties, tranquil in troubles, serene when under stress, at peace when we are pressed, calm and composed when under compulsion, and hushed when we are hurried. God says, "Be still and know I am God." The word "still" is rich in meaning. It means "to sink, relax, sink down as you would sink down at ease in a chair." God says, "Relax and get to know Me! Spend time with Me!" The Bible repeatedly teaches we are to be still because of Him.

Psalm 56:3, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Learning to be still is an important element of victory. When we are in panic mode, we can make some very foolish decisions because we are not thinking clearly. For this reason God says, "Be still." Many have sought refuge in the Lord in their times of fear. In 1947, missionaries Dick and Margaret Hillis settled with their four children by the Mule River in the Honan province of China. Nearby, a mission church swelled with nearly a thousand Chinese every Sunday. It would have been a happy time but for the impending war between Chiang kai-Shek and the forces of Mao Tse-tung. One day, Nationalist Captain Hwang urgently told Dick, "The Communists are marching on the Mule River Market. You better take your family and flee." It was too late, however. The Communists had detonated, destroying all the railroad bridges. That evening the Hillis family heard the first shots and soon the battle raged around them. There was no sleep as they spent the night in prayer. The city soon fell, and the streets were filled with a swarm of Communist troops. Then a new danger arose. Captain Hwang, outside the city walls, was lobbing shells at the Communist soldiers. The bombing reached a crescendo one night as each shell dropped closer to the Hillis home. The house next door exploded into flames and splinters, killing all that lived within it. It appeared that the Hillis home would be obliterated next. The family huddled together in the corner as another shell exploded shooting dirt, glass, and bricks through the windows and walls. The house trembled and quaked as the bombs exploded. The children screamed and were momentarily deafened by the explosions. The family prepared for death when suddenly the shelling stopped. The family emerged from the corner into a room that was filled with debris, but no one was hurt. Dick tucked the children into bed that night. When he knelt by Margaret Anne, he noticed a dirty scrap of paper stuffed under her pillow. On it was printed in big, childlike letters these words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." During her nights of terror in China, little Margaret was learning to be still and rest in God's care in her time of fear. God wants us to do the same.

Questions to Consider:

• Can you give an example of this from your life?
• Have you made the Lord your strength?
• Do you give your burdens, worries, and cares to Him?
• What is the Lord teaching you from this devotional?

Points to Ponder:

• Sometimes the Lord tells His people to stand still.
• When you feel trapped, learn to be quiet and listen and watch for the Lord’s salvation.
• The Lord gives us strength to face tough challenges of life every day.
• When we make the Lord our Savior and our strength we can live and walk more consistently.

PRAYER: Lord, too often through the eyes of the flesh I see my battles bigger than You. Help me to trust in You and see them as You see them. There is never a problem I encounter that is greater than You. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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