The young baroness, newly arrived in Kenya, went for a ride into the bush, not knowing the dangers. When she got down from her horse, she failed to take her rifle from the saddle’s scabbard. Suddenly the horse bolted and Baroness Blixen found herself staring at a lioness moving in her direction. A voice from nowhere commands – “Don’t move!” Seeing Denys, a big-game hunter and guide, in her peripheral vision, she cries – “Shoot her, now!” He replies with the same command – “Don’t move.” She stood still as the lioness looked in her direction and then moved on. When the crisis passed, Denys explained that he knew the lioness was not hungry but if she decided to run, the lioness would see her as prey and chase her down. (Out of Africa, 1985)
When we find ourselves in the middle of a crisis, when we
are full of fear, one of the most difficult choices we can make is to stand
still! Why not run around in panic? Why
not scream, kick, and yell? Because we only add to the chaos and forfeit our
ability to think clearly as well as to hear the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit
who will lead us, keep us, and comfort us.
Moses had just led the Israelite nation out of Egypt three days earlier. They were joyous over their new-found freedom, ready for the journey to Canaan, their home, God’s Promised Land. Then this happened. "When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites were not planning to return to Egypt after three days, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all these slaves get away?” they asked. So Pharaoh called out his troops and led the chase in his chariot." (Exodus 14:5-6, NLT) "As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the Lord for help." (Exodus 14:10, NLT)
There was an army behind them and the sea in front of them. It was time for panic, or was it? The people quickly turned on their leader with angry accusations. "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV) We know the rest of that story. God opened a way for them through the sea and then closed the waters over the army of Egypt and the threat was gone.
This principle of quiet faith and patience waiting on
God’s will and deliverance is one repeated often in the story of God’s
people.
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD
is about to do
before your eyes!" (1 Samuel 12:16, NIV)
"Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when
men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes." (Psalm
37:7, NIV)
This passage sustained me in 2008 when my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and his life was closing. It was my first encounter with death in our family. Complicating the matter beyond sorrow was the fact that there were still 5 children in his household that my mother, then 72 years of age, would be left to care for. I quoted these lines prayerfully more times than I can remember. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, … Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:1-2, 10, NIV)
What’s your challenge today?
Are you feeling panic?
Does there appear to be no way forward, no answer?
Stand Still!
The command is not to become passive or to hide our face from the reality of life. Rather, God invites us to hit the pause button and let the Spirit reveal His comfort, His plan, to know that He is still Lord of all even in the time of crisis.
Here is a word from the Word. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:8-11, NIV)
(Video of this blog at this link)
_______________
When all I see is the battle
You see my victory
When all I see is a mountain
You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow
Your love surrounds me
There's nothing to fear now
For I am safe with You
So when I fight I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
O God the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I'll sing through the night
O God the battle belongs to You
And if You are for me
Who can be against me
For Jesus there's nothing
Impossible for You
When all I see are the ashes
You see the beauty
When all I see is a cross
God You see the empty tomb
(An) Almighty Fortress You go before us
Nothing can stand against
The power of our God
You shine in the shadows
You win every battle
Nothing can stand against
The power of our God
O God the battle belongs to You
Brian Johnson | Phil Wickham
© Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
Bethel Music Publishing
CCLI License # 810055
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