STAND FIRM .... BE STILL

 DECEMBER 13, 2022

Exodus 13:13-14

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today… The lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

No sooner had the Israelites left Egypt then they faced a challenge: The Red Sea ahead and the Egyptians behind. Have you ever faced anything like that?

Isn’t it interesting that in this situation of roadblocks, a fear producing experience, God tells his people I’ve got this, stand firm … be still. I don’t know what it is like for you in these situations of feeling surrounded with seemingly no way out, but “stand firm … be still, is not my go to response. Is it yours? Is it not the case that we are more likely to busy ourselves to find a way of escape, we spring into action, we practice “don’t just stand there do something.”

In this case, our reading today tells us that “stand firm …. Be still” is the pathway through the trapped experience. Why? Well, it says “the Lord will fight for you.”

I am becoming more and more aware that I need to do more Standing Firm and Being Still in my living and to “wait on the Lord” and let God do what God does best, look after his people with love, grace, and power. I know I have said before in this series, but it fits here too. I wonder if God does not say to us, “Don’t just do something, stand there.” When we do, we are witnesses to God’s amazing works.

PSALM 37:7

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret . ...."

 

Isaiah 40:31

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Psalm 33:20-22

“Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

AMEN!