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I hear people use this verse for the wrong application:

Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

I’ve heard well meaning people use it as an indicator that, because we are on the winning team, we will never face another battle. Not true.

Here’s something you need to understand about this verse, before you try to live it.

The verse doesn’t mean you don’t have an assignment. It doesn’t mean the assignment you have won’t be difficult. It doesn’t mean doing nothing.

Consider the next verse:

Exodus 15:15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.”

In other words…get going! Do what you’re supposed to do! Don’t stand there in fear…MOVE ON!

The Israelites were going to cross the sea. It would be something they had never done before. Have you ever walked through a wall of water, on ground that used to be the bottom of the sea?

Seriously, have you?

The Israelites were going to have to trust God that God would part the waters and dry up the land. Keep in mind, this command was given before the sea had even started to separate. They had to believe that the water would divide. They then had to believe the wall of water wouldn’t drop and fish wouldn’t fall on their head as they drown. They had to believe that crossing the sea was a better option than surrendering to the Egyptians. It wasn’t doing nothing. It was walking by faith.

The verse, then, means that if you are moving at the direction of God…if you are following His plan for your life…if you are being obedient…you don’t have to fear the outcome. You don’t have to worry about the provision of God for your journey. You don’t have to wonder if God will do as God said He will do. He’s got your back! He’s got the ultimate victory. You can rest in Him. You can be still!

Being still doesn’t mean doing nothing!

Have you been “standing still” when you need to be moving?

Quit making excuses and act on what you know God has called you to do! 

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Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

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Join the discussion 10 Comments

  • Suma Stenson says:

    Ya, that’s very true. Though the mountains are bigger than we expected we have a biggest God who is able to remove it from the root. His power is amazing for those who believe in His strength and work on it.

  • Dr. Bill Gaultiere puts it this way — "Being still does not mean being continually inactive or lethargic. There's nothing spiritual or beneficial about idleness, laziness, and passivity. So what does it mean to be still? I understand stillness of soul to be experienced with a moderate activity level and a peaceful disposition."

  • @KariScare says:

    I'm always amazed how life can be so chaotic and yet I can feel peaceful and still inside. God never failes to calm me when I focus on Him. In the stillness of my Spirit, I find Him… always. When I went through some health challenges recently, I was forced to rest a lot. Yet even though I was physically still, spiritually I was doing a lot as I was able to spend more time with God. As with give Him our time – all of it – He will work in amazing ways. I love the stillness that He brings to my spirit.

  • atoy1208 says:

    I would like to add that none of us need to wait for God to reveal His "calling" on our lives. His calling is visible in the Bible sitting right next to us. He's already told us what to do. Our job is to just figure out how and rely on God to carry it out. Scary stuff!

  • Katherine says:

    This is very much true…the mountains will often seem to get bigger. The battle is won with the LORD as we stand in FAITH. May GOD be glorified as HIS people learn HIS ways. ~