Stand Still

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We live in a world today that is vastly different from the world we lived in just a few months ago. Everything has changed. If someone told me in March of 2019 that we would need to attend our weekly church services from home in March of 2020, I would have said that they were writing a story for Hollywood.

Fast forward to 2020, and we are attending our weekly church services from home. That is not the only thing we are doing from home. Now we have remote learning where both students and teachers are at home; some medical appointments are done from home also.

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So what do you do when you are searching for something so that you can return to what you consider normal? Well when Moses, and the people he led faced a crisis that was not normal for them, he told them in Exodus 14:13, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still.” Why do you need to stand still in the time of chaos?

Well when you stand still, you are no longer moving. You can now evaluate yourself and your activities. The Bible says in James 1:23-24, “For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” Why is all this necessary? These are uncertain times and you need to know who you are and what you are. What you think is not important because your life needs to be aligned with the Word of God. Stand still and look into the mirror of God’s word. The mirror will help you evaluate where you are so that you can make adjustments in your life.

When you stand still, you are usually waiting on something or waiting for someone. When you contemplate what is happening, you need to stand still. You need to know what God is saying to you in this season. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” In your quiet moments, you forge a relationship with God. David said it this way in Psalm 62:1-2 says, “I wait quietly before God for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation,” He is your salvation; He is the only one who can rescue you from danger.

As you stand still before God and wait in His presence, He will empower you to stand. Paul says in Ephesians 6:10, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” So your lack of activity, gives you the opportunity to put on your protective gear. Protective gear protects from danger, however you needed the right kind of protective gear for the challenge you face. For example, while a raincoat will protect you in a thunder storm, it would be of no value in a sub-degree snowstorm. Paul outlines the components of the protective gear in Ephesians 6.

In order to successfully navigate this crisis, you need to spend time with God. David understood that. In Psalm 62:5 he said, “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” So stand still and watch God work for you and in you.