Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Keep Still

[FROM 3/30/11]

"But Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again.  The LORD will fight for you, and you only have to keep still."
(Exodus 14:13-14)

The Hebrew people have been freed (finally!) from slavery in Egypt.  God has done an amazing thing in their midst and set them free.  Now the Egyptians are reconsidering their actions.  They'll soon pursue & attack the Hebrews.  But God knows this.  And God has a plan.  The people can't see it, of course.  Fear clouds their eyes and hearts.  Major fear!  Crippling fear.

But God (through Moses) calms the people.  "Don't be afraid.  Stand firm.  See the deliverance..." Even though the powerful Egyptian army is fast approaching, God is in control.  And here's the great battle plan of the Lord: "The LORD will fight for you, and you only have to keep still" (v.14).

We are a busy people, aren't we?  Things to do... places to go... people to see... projects to complete.  We're frequently "on the move."  Sometimes, however, we're too busy for our own good.  Psalm 46:10 reminds us to "Be still, and know that I am God."  It may be that what we need most is to simply be still, and let God do "the fighting" for us. 

Keep still.
Keep still.
Keep still.

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