Stand still!

Hello there,

I received the following via email today, and thought you may find it helpful.

In love,
In grace,
In Christ (Who is everything to us)
Chris
------------------


"Stand still, and see
the salvation of the Lord."

Exodus 14:13

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 faith 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."

Sprugeon
 
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Hello there,

I received the following via email today, and thought you may find it helpful.

In love,
In grace,
In Christ (Who is everything to us)
Chris
------------------


"Stand still, and see
the salvation of the Lord."

Exodus 14:13

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 faith 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."

Sprugeon

Hi @Complete,

Just found your post. What great thoughts. And ah yes the wrong thoughts that we are to take captive. Really excellent.

Thanks Chris, Marilyn.
 
It's funny - when you look at the context and the Hebrew of this verse, as well as Psalm 46 (be still and know that I am God....)
You realize that this is not a soft comforting gentle tone like Mom calming a kid with a cut on his knee....

On the contrary.... The sense is where you have to forcibly restrain someone who is caught in the throes of white eyes panic and they are doing dangerous and irrational things because they are gripped by terror.

That's how we get when we feel like we are way out past our comfort zone. We get jittery and panicky and we do dumb things..... We balk and we fight and we stubbornly refuse to continue with the plan.

That's when we need the word of "Restrain yourself and know that I am God"...

Thanks
 
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