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There’s A Time To “Stand Still”

According to the Ecclesiastes writer, there is a proper time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). There is also a time to move and a time to “stand still.” The Israelites moved out of Egypt, as far as the Red Sea, only to become frightened when it appeared Pharaoh’s army would overcome them. They murmured, and would have turned back, but Moses said:

“Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today” (Exodus 14:13).

Before we panic and give up the spiritual fight in fear of our enemy (1 Peter 5:8), we need to “stand still” and consider the strength of God, i.e., “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Samuel once said to God’s people:

“Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord which He did to you and your fathers” (1 Samuel 12:7).

At this point in time, the Israelites were wanting a King like the nations around about them (1 Samuel 8:1-22), and the prophet sought to check their rash digression by reminding them of the righteous benefits of the Lord. But when the Hebrew people were determined to be “like all the nations” — it was difficult for Samuel to get them to “stand still” and listen to God.

The prophet used yet another measure when he said:

“Stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes” 1 Samuel 12:16 ESV).

Having reminded them of God’s goodness, he then warned them of the severity of His wrath which He renders upon the evil (1 Samuel 12:17-19).

In today’s society, many folks (including the Lord’s people) may “stand still” to hear about God’s goodness, but there are few who will “listen” to His equally important warnings of coming judgment (cf. Acts 17:29-31; Romans 2:1-9; Romans 11:20-22; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12).

Moses answered questions about the service of God by saying: “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you” (Numbers 9:8). If the Lord’s people today had this attitude, we could learn the truth about scriptural worship, church organization, the work of the church, and all other biblical questions of our day. But we squirm, twitch and will not “stand still” to hear the word of the Lord.

The philosophy, “Better to make mistakes than to do nothing” is a popular philosophy which does not allow a choice to “stand still” — to learn God’s truth — then move to obedience.

Habakkuk’s plea for man to “Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (Habakkuk 2:20), is a plea for man to “stand still” before his God — not only to “hear” what He says (cf. Matthew 17:5; Acts 3:19-23; Acts 7:37; Hebrews 1:1-2), but to “do” what He says (Matthew 7:21; cf. James 1:22-25).