Love That Never Fails

19. You Need Only To Be Still

When circumstances all around us seem to be out of control, bringing fear and terror to all, what is our first reaction? Sometimes we take matters into our own hands and forget to cry out to God for help. At other times, we just worry or perhaps begin to look for someone or something to blame and then the complaining starts. Instead of reacting to challenging circumstances in our own strength, there is another more successful approach.

Look at Moses' advice to the Israelites in the terrifying situation in which they found themselves. It surely is something we can learn from, particularly at this time in history!

"As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" 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 ‭14:10-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What great encouragement these words would have brought the Israelites! God's Word reinforces this idea of being still and letting God be our strength. Just have a look at these verses from Psalm 46 and be encouraged in whatever situation you currently find yourself:

"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, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:1-3, 9-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You so much for the comfort I receive from Your Word each day and especially in difficult times. Lord I admit I am prone to grumbling when things are going wrong and often emergency situations arise and I forget to pray! I so need to call out to You first and then just be still! Please help me with this, particularly in these uncertain times.

Lord may Your people around the world know that You are God. May they know that You are our strength and refuge. Thank You that we do not need to fear because You are our ever present God.

Amen.