In the Stillness

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still."
Exodus 14:13-15a

Why do I seem to like to fight my own battles? It generally turns out to be a losing effort. At best, a compromise may be reached. But there is a lesson that God wants me to hear today. This is a lesson taught by a nation that was not at all equipped to fight the greater nation that was bent on their destruction. Yet, a monumental victory was won, and all they really needed to do was be still.
    God was about to part the Red Sea so the Israelites could pass through. The Egyptian army was in hot pursuit, ready to capture them and return them to a life of slavery. But God intervened. He didn't ask them to do anything. They never drew a sword or spear. God fought the battle for them.
    The same is true today. If we attempt to fight our own battles with this dark world, we will surely fail. We have a much greater destiny ahead of us. If we expend our energy fighting daily battles with the disappointments, the negativity, and the self-serving nature of the world, we will succumb to its draw, because in ourselves, we have little strength. But if we will do what God asks us to do, we will be victorious, because no opposition can stand against Almighty God.
    We are called to simply be still and know that he is God. If there is direction, he will tell us. If no direction comes, we need to be still and see the deliverance that God will provide. This does not mean that we do nothing. In fact, we are to pray and release the power of God into our daily lives. But under no circumstances, are we to take matters into our own hands.
    God told the Israelites that they would never see the Egyptians again. It would be a total victory. He told them not to be afraid for they would see their deliverance. All this came through the hand of God. No Israelite raised a weapon. God won the battle.
    Today, when the battle for your attention rages between the draw of the world and the glory of the kingdom of Heaven, be still and listen to the voice of the Lord as he draws you to himself. The evil of the world has already been defeated. Be quiet and behold the victory that is won...in the stillness.