Stand still!

(Exodus 14:13)  “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”

Sometimes it is good to take a step back and let God talk to us as we stand still. The hyper-activity in life seems to be filled with lots of stuff that is actually meaningless when it comes to God’s plan for our lives and sometimes we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place, confused and with so many voices, so many opinions, what is one to do? BE still and see the salvation of the Lord. I so hate the opposition of the flesh, it is like a dripping tap as it nags away, relentless in its objective. To get me to walk in unbelief and to fall into sin, and at times it has its way! Don’t you just feel terrible when you end up doing something that you know Christ died for to set us free from, and yet how often have I found myself wallowing in self-pity? However, I do understand that it is God’s design that allows it happens like this. It is called sanctification. A process to teach us to walk in obedience before a holy God and yet life seems to be filled at times with failure, it is at these times in our lives that we are most vulnerable. A hundred idea’s and different opinions often present themselves, but we must remember that we have an enemy who would love to see our demise. The advice we receive at times may seem sound but there are periods we need to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”

“Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.” (Hebrews 13:9) - What then does this mean? Let a good teacher then teaches us how to apply correct theology to our standing in Christ…

“a. They were divers and various (Heb_13:9), different from what they had received from their former faithful teachers, and inconsistent with themselves.

b. They were strange doctrines: such as the gospel church was unacquainted with foreign to the gospel.

c. They were of an unsettling, distracting nature, like the wind by which the ship is tossed, and in danger of being driven from its anchor, carried away, and split upon the rocks. They were quite contrary to that grace of God which fixes and establishes the heart, which is an excellent thing. These strange doctrines keep the heart always fluctuating and unsettled.

d. They were mean and low as to their subject. They were about external, little, perishing things, such as meats and drinks, etc.

e. They were unprofitable. Those who were most taken with them, and employed about them, got no real good by them to their own souls. They did not make them more holy, nor more humble, nor more thankful, nor more heavenly.” (Matthew Henry)

 And another great teacher…

(Exodus 14:13)  “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”

“These words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master’s word to him is, “Stand still.” It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.” But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, “do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness.” We must be doing something at once-we must do it so we think-instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, “If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle.” But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it stands. “Stand still;”-keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Signing off

Tyrone