Stand Still

Picture painted by Linda Wilmot
Exodus 14:13-16
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Although I shouldn’t be, I’m often surprised at how many of my responses to life’s challenges resemble the Isrealites in the wilderness. Prior to these verses you just read, the Isrealites were yelling their doubts, fears, and complaints very loudly to Moses. Thousands of people all looking through eyes of fear and blaming him for what they projected to be the outcome. Moses demands, challenges them, to “Fear not, and stand still”. With thousands of people yelling, throwing hands up, and charging at you, telling them to “stand still” seems logical but highly improbable. He needed to regain some order to this fearful multitude so chaose didn’t take over. But what if this Hebrew word reveals a different perspective other then the physicality of standing still.

The Hebrew word used here is “yâtsab“. The Strong’s definition explains it to mean to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively to station, offer, continue: – present selves, remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-) stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up). I read this and think Moses wasn’t just physically calling them to stand still. No, he was challenging them to stand fast in the truth of the greatness of Yahweh. They were looking at the physical,natural world around them and evaluating the outcome based on their own abilities, strength, and power. Moses was exhorting them to stand fast and believe that the Lord was their deliverer, their protector. Moses was trying to awaken their hearts to trusting God instead of looking to a man to do something. Moses knew he, a human – mere flesh, couldn’t save them, but he believed God would finish what He started and keep His promise.
So this makes me think, how often  do I look at my circumstances and evaluate what will happen only based on this natural world and my human abilities? Or how often do I cry out my fears,concerns, and dislikes or  go to people for help and to save me, when my Father in Heaven is just waiting for me to “stand still”, call on His name, and know that He is God? Honestly, this has happened more times than I care to admit, but thankfully God is growing me in this area and I am not where I once was. Just like the Isrealites saw during their time in the wilderness, we serve a mighty, super-natural God. As followers of Jesus we have been given new life, love, and power from on high to share His gospel throughout the world. To be His love to a hurting world, so they will see and receive all He has for them. …of course He will make a way even when we see no way.

Psa 46:10-11 Be still, and know that I am God: …I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah