Be Silent? But that's the hard stuff. . .

Read: Exodus 14:10-14

After a break to read through the Book of James with a wonderful group of girlfriends, I’m actually pretty excited to get back to reading through the Bible. I'll pick up where I left off with the Children of Israel readying themselves to leave Egypt.

What an exciting spot to pick up the story! They are ready to go; the Egyptians are giving them their gold and other valuables. They head out – going the long way around because the Lord knows that facing a waring people like the Philistines wouldn’t be in their best interest at this point. (God knew them / knows us so well – Psalm 103:14 He remembers that we are dust.) God provides the pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud to guide them. He leads them to the edge of the Red Sea and makes them camp out there. To catch their breath? Maybe. To see the hand of God at work? Most definitely!

Most people are familiar with the story. As they are there, the Egyptian army, led by a Pharaoh with a very short memory, comes flying up behind them. And immediately, we see that the Children of Israel suffer from the same short memory. They hysterically begin asking Moses if he brought them out there to die because there weren’t enough graves in Egypt. (Got to love how dramatic they are!) That’s the story we all know. I’ve heard it a million times and taught it at least that many myself. However, today, the Lord pointed out a tiny little verse stuck in the middle of that account. Before the big miracle of the parting of the Red Sea. Before the big finish of the Egyptian army drowning. Before anything else happens, Moses tells the people,

Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

In that one verse, there is a whole lot the Children of Israel are asked to do:

1. “Fear not” – What looks like a big problem to you isn’t to God. He is completely capable of caring for the problem, working out the situation, and handling the issue. It begs the question, “How big is my God, really?”

2. “Stand firm” – Don’t run away in panic. Don’t hide from the problem. That’s pretty hard to do, especially when we can’t see how on earth God could take care of the situation.

3. “See the salvation of the Lord” / “The Lord will fight for you” – We can put complete confidence in the all-mighty, all-knowing, ever-loving God that He will care for the situation as He sees fit. (“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28)

4. “You have only to be silent” – But that’s the HARD part. . . for me at least – and I’m guessing for many others as well. Notice it is not, “You have only to fuss about it to your best friend.” Nor is it, “You have only to share it as a prayer request with everyone.” – although that isn’t always a bad thing. And finally, notice it isn’t “You have only to beg and plead as if that is the only way you can get God to hear you so He knows there is a problem and knows how you think it is best handled.” That’s where I seem to be stuck. . . I re-read the verse, and it doesn’t say that. It simply says, “Be silent.”

I can pray. But prayer isn’t an opportunity to advise God.

I can call out to Him. But calling out isn’t just begging and pleading for my way.

I can be silent. And in that heart-silence, I can pray to simply see God, and that He will help me stand firm knowing that God will fight for me so I need not fear.

Dear Lord,

With each difficult situation that I face, help me work on the hard part of being silent and waiting to see You show Yourself strong on my behalf.