Just Be Still

Exodus 14:14 — The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still.” 

Despite finally being freed from hundreds of years of slavery, in Exodus 14 it looked like all hope was lost for God’s people.

Pharaoh's hardened heart and pride caused him to regret freeing the Israelites. He asked, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” (Exodus 14:5) and sent an army of six hundred chariots to capture them and put them back in bondage to Egypt.

With Egyptian soldiers, horsemen, and chariots surrounding them, the Israelites felt completely hopeless and angrily asked Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? (Exodus 14:11)

When God answered them, He didn’t say what you’d expect Him to say. He didn’t tell them to be strong, He didn’t tell them to be courageous, and He didn’t even tell them to fight off their enemies. Instead, He simply said, “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

So often, when we face trials and battles in life, we think our best option is to be “strong” and fight them head-on. The truth is, we don’t have any strength or power of our own. God wants us to see that He is our strength, and trust Him to fight on our behalf.

The next time you feel overwhelmed and surrounded, stop and think about God’s command to the Israelites: I will fight for you, just be still.