Do you ever feel like your in a wrestling match with life? Or perhaps I should ask, how often do you find yourself in a wrestling match with life or perhaps dancing around each other? It doesn’t feel like child’s play!
Several years ago I memorized Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you; you have only to be still”. I don’t remember the circumstances that led me to memorize it; I wish I did. However, I went back to Exodus 14 to remind myself of the story.
Pharaoh released the Israelites from slavery and Moses led them through wilderness to the edge of the Red Sea. But then Pharaoh changed his mind and came after the Israelites with the entire Egyptian army. The Scriptures record three responses from the Israelites:
- They were totally afraid ~ understandable.
- They cried out in terror to God ~ they prayed in desperation.
- They complained to Moses ~ so human.
Moses had three responses for the Israelites:
- Don’t be afraid.
- Stand firm.
- Watch what God will do.
“The Lord will fight for you; you have only to be still”.
This led me to pondering what it looks like to be still. After all I Peter 3 tells me that a gentle and quiet (that seems to be a synonym for being still) in God’s sight is precious. I came up with these thoughts …
For me, being still means …
Remembering the faithfulness of God toward me in the past. “… In returning and rest you will be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength”. Isaiah 30:15
Recalling God’s love for me. “…He will quiet you by His love…”. Zephaniah 3:17
Being actively engaged in prayer and trusting. “… and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever”. Isaiah 32:17
Waiting on God. “Be still and know that I am God …”. Psalm 46:10
Not complaining. “A fool gives full vent to his anger, a wise (wo)man quietly holds it back. Proverbs 29:11
Sometimes I walk myself backwards through Psalm 46:10 pausing each time to consider what I’m hearing.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and Know.
Be still.
Be.
“And I’ll use Pharaoh and his army to put my Glory on display…” Exodus 14:4 and 17, The Message. I love that God uses the same words before and after verse 14. Being still and allowing God to fight puts His Glory on display!
“But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”
Habakkuk 2:20
Wrestling with demons of the past lately on purpose to heal from it and keep it from continuing to disturb my everyday life. Necessary but certainly not easy. I long for that quietness. Instead I am wrestling with being jumpy and having panic attacks. 🙁 I know God will bring me through it. Thanks for the reminder that God fights for me. My job is just to rest. I’m trying.
Oh Becky, I am so sorry. I’ll get in the ring with you. Thank you for sharing so transparently. I bet others will start fighting for you as well.
May I share one thought? Your last two words, “I’m trying.” Have you thought of replacing your trying with trusting? I regularly review and pray over the words of scripture and ask God to help me trust them that day. For me that is one of the keys to being still. And sometimes (often) it is a fight to trust.
Love how you re-frame that Sue! Thanks! Sitting here just thinking about the words my junior high counselor shared with my aunt and uncle. “Your niece is so much stronger than she realizes”. I would need that strength to walk through my parent’s divorce a few years later and more recently experiencing my 34th loss in just over a year. I am realizing that there are different kinds of strength.
Thank you very much !! ❤️❤️
You are welcome.