The Hard Work of Standing Still
Scripture Reading — Exodus 14:1-14
"Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today." Exodus 14:13
In the eyes of Pharaoh, the Israelites were like sheep fit for slaughter. His former slaves wandered about "in confusion, hemmed in by the desert." As Christians, we sometimes feel in a daze too. Financial pressures push from one side, health problems push from another, and relationship problems charge in from before and behind. Which way do we turn? A sense of panic grips us. In despair some reach for an overdose of sleeping pills to end the misery. There's another alternative, though, as we can see in this amazing promise: "The Lord will fight for you." Have we overlooked the Lord, who stands at our side? Have we forgotten God is ready to do battle for us? And what is our task? "You need only to be still." This is no small matter! What a challenge it is to keep our focus and trust that God will rescue us! Some of us may be in despair today. Sinful patterns of life may be pinning us down. Temptation easily crumbles our resolve. Problems stagger us. But God has gone on the offensive for our sake--ultimately on a hill called Calvary. God's own Son engaged the armies of the devil and triumphed over them by giving his life for us. Today we share in his victory, for he is still on the move for his people. Stand strong in the knowledge that the battle belongs to the Lord.
Lord, "greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world." By your grace, give us the victory today over the pressures that threaten us in our journey of faith. In Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Bob Heerspink
Dr. Robert Heerspink was director of Back to God Ministries International from 2006 until 2011, when he passed away. He had previously pastored several Christian Reformed churches. Bob loved to write and was a frequent contributor to the Today devotional.
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