TEXT:

‘Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God’ (Job 37:14)

THOUGHT:

Last Saturday I was in Brixham Marina on my sister and her partner’s twin-engine speed boat. Talking to a man who had his boat moored nearby, he told me it only had one engine as he preferred to travel more slowly. He said one disadvantage having two engines is that it can get there so quickly, people then speed on somewhere else without fully appreciating the first place they arrived at!

Today’s Teaching is entitled, “Stand Still!” I want to encourage you to do that for the following reasons.

• Stand Still for God’s Salvation – ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today’ (Exodus 14:13)

The Children of Israel had just escaped from Egypt. Pharaoh was glad to see the back of them having suffered the plagues. Then he changed his mind and sent his army to get them back. The Israelites were trapped by the Red Sea ahead and the army behind. What could they do with no weapons or experience of warfare? They cried out in fear but Moses told them, “Stand still!” Supernaturally God made a way through the Red Sea. The path of salvation for God’s people became the place of destruction for the Egyptians who followed after them.

God did on their behalf what they could not do for themselves. Jehoshaphat was told them same thing when Israel was invaded. ‘You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you’ (2 Chronicles 20:17). God still works miracles today for those who face overwhelming odds, whatever the problem or opposition.

After pioneering the church in Wadebridge, I wanted to purchase a building but reached an impasse. There was a deadline to complete by and the mortgage was not forthcoming. The solicitor wrote saying, “That’s the end of your church!” I sought God in prayer and He spoke to me, “Norman, you can walk up and down the Rea Sea but you will never find a place to cross, it has to be a miracle!” Just like Moses told the Israelites to go forward, I instructed the solicitor to proceed. God wonderfully answered as the contract was completed on time and we ended up borrowing a lot less money than we had originally asked for!

Whatever you are facing today, do not run in fear or hide. Stand still in faith and see the salvation God has planned for you.

• Stand Still for God’s instruction – ‘Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you’ (Numbers 9:8)

When the Israelites celebrated the second Passover since leaving Egypt, some were ceremonially unclean due to a family death and could not join in. They asked Moses what they should do as they wanted to obey God’s command to keep the Passover feast. He did not know but said, “Stand still” until God told him. God answered and made an exception for anyone facing a similar situation. They could celebrate the Passover the following month.

Christians do not have to pray whether it is God’s will when the Bible clearly reveals that it is. What they are really doing is trying to get God to agree with their disobedience. Such go from church to church, Christian to Christian, trying to find someone to endorse their wrong decision-making. Concerning the clear instructions in the Bible, we do not need to pray, just obey!

However, there are life issues about which the Bible is not clear, such as what career to choose or which church to become part of. These are things we can pray about and God has promised to guide us in the right way, giving us His peace to help settle on the right course of action.¹

• Stand Still in Appreciation – ‘Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God’ (Job 37:14)

Walking along the Cornish coastline this week, I rounded a corner and saw a wonderful view. The sun shining on a still sea! It was breath-taking! I had to stand still to take the photo and take it all in. It’s good to appreciate the creation, but do not forget the creator.

“What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs and stare as long as sheep or cows”.²

Busy lives need to stand still. Rest, relax and revive. It’s great to keep going, but taking time to stand still can help us move forward with more of a thankful heart.

Finally, God tells us to stand still and this is what Jesus did. ‘Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you”’ (Mark 10:49). Jesus gave the man His attention. It’s so easy to multi-task and our attention is divided, especially with smart phones! When we do that, people can feel devalued. When the crowd told Bartimaeus to be quiet, he shouted even louder and Jesus stood still! He was going to make time for a beggar to receive his miracle.

Even if Jesus becomes distracted by someone else’s need, like when the woman with the issue of blood touched His garment and was healed, as He accompanied Jairus to his house, He will not forget you. ³ Once there He was able to concentrate, shut out the crowd and raise the dead daughter.

It is amazing and mind-boggling that the God of the universe has time for me. I did not make the promise that God would never leave me nor forsake me⁴, God did! By the Holy Spirit, God can and does keep that promise. If we will stand still more often, we will find God stands still with us and what follows afterwards will be truly amazing.

Endnotes:

¹ – Colossians 3:15

² – “Leisure” by W H Davies

³ – Mark 5:21-43

⁴ – Hebrews 13:5