Sermon Central
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Stand Still
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Feb 2, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Examining the fact that sometimes what God wants is for us to "Stand Still and watch Him move"
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Stand Still
Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God.”
You may find yourself at a time in your life where all you can do, is just be still and know that GOD IS GOD! Your situation may seem hopeless, and you may feel overwhelmed and alone. And at times whatever you are facing cannot be helped by mortal man.
Even with loving and caring friends and family you still feel all alone. It is in these times that God comes on the scene and does what no one else can.
“The Isaacs” have a song that describes this fact beautifully:
The Father has a plan, though it's hard to see it now
You feel you're walking all alone, but He is there no doubt
When the storm around you rages, and you're tossed to and fro
When you're faced with life's decisions, Not sure which way to go
Stand still and let God move, Standing still is hard to do
When you feel you have reached the end,
He'll make a way for you
Stand still and let God move
In these times where we “stand still” we will see God move in mighty ways. I friend of mine told me earlier this week that “God has to be experienced because He cannot be explained” I want us to look at God’s performance in the life of the Children of Israel and preach on the thought “Stand Still”.
As we arrive at our selected text, At this point in history, the Children of Israel have been released from the strong hand of Pharaoh. God has delivered them from 400 years of slavery and oppression in Egypt. They had begun a new journey of hope and great expectation. But after traveling for a while they find themselves in a discouraging situation.
In front of them is the great Red Sea
To the left is a mountain
To the right, another mountain
Behind them are Pharaoh & the Egyptian army.
Not only are their enemies behind them, they are approaching fast. On the surface, they are TRAPPED. They find themselves in a situation that seems hopeless. As a result they go to Moses and cry out to him… venting their frustrations so to speak. Moses responds in a way they never could have expected. With the enemy approaching and the “walls closing in” Moses tells them to “Stand Still”
Look with me to verse 13 - Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you…
Let’s be honest, if we were in there situation and Moses was telling us to just “Stand Still” we would probably be a bit concerned. Why? Because we often forget who we serve! So, what can you do when you are facing a hopeless situation?
How do you respond when you are struggling with:
A rebellious child
A sick relative
A terminal diagnosis
A financial hardship that only seems to get worse
A marriage that is bound for divorce
And many other issues that I may have failed to mention.
What do you do …what is the proper response? I submit to you that your only option may simply be to “stand still” I would like to see 4 occasions when you may find that God wants you to “Stand Still” The first occasion I would like to examine is:
I. When Trouble Approaches, Stand Still! - v10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them;
The Children of Israel knew the enemy well. They knew his strength and power. They also grasped the gravity of their situation. They were surrounded. They couldn’t go forward, backward or to either side.
They were unarmed and had no logical chance of defending themselves against this army of Egyptians. They were at a place where they could only look up and that is where they would find their deliverance.
A. Your Troubles May Be Intimidating - “Pharaoh drew nigh”
Exodus 14:5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? 6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him
The Pharaoh (Egyptian King) had all of the people and equipment at his disposal. He had been responsible for their bondage in the past. They knew this enemy well and knew what it would mean to be captured.
