Stand Still

Three words have intrigued me lately: just stand still.

I’ve been enjoying listening to and watching the Pureflix episodes of “Doc.” The song excerpt at the beginning of each episode is “Stand Still” by Billy Ray Cyrus. I’m not sure what the intent of the producer was, but it got me to thinking about what the Bible says about standing still.

Here are seven scriptures about standing still.

1. Moses told the Hebrews (soon after they left Egypt, when Pharoah’s army was after them), “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV).

2. Joshua 10:12 tells of a man commanding the sun to stand still, and it did for most of a day, giving Israel time to defeat her enemies.

3. King Jehoshaphat is instructed not to be afraid or discouraged because of the vast army coming against them, “For the battle is not yours but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD who is with you” (II Chronicles 20:15b-17a NKJV).

4. Much later, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable (i.e. stand firm), always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:58 NKJV).

5. “Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be strong. And whatever you do, do it in kindness and love.” (I Cor. 16:13 LAB).

6. “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thess. 2:15 NIV).

7. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Roman 5:1-2 NKJV).

My idea of standing still may be laziness, petrified with fear, or taking time to think things through because we’re not sure what to do. But God’s idea for us to “just stand still” is apparently to trust him and wait for him to act, be at peace because of that trust, believe he will do what he said—what is best.

In Summary:

We are to stand still and see what God will do for us who trust him, (rescue us, save us). The Lord will fight for us. The Lord wants us to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. If he wants us to make the sun stand still, he will even provide the power for that. We are to be on our guard against temptation and other spiritual dangers, stand true to the Lord, be courageous and strong, believe the Bible and practice its teachings, stand in God’s grace and rejoice in hope of his glory.

Best of all, we are privileged to stand in grace

(forgiven by God’s mercy because Jesus paid the price on the Cross),

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Roman 5:1-2 NKJV).

Here’s a beautiful song by Steven Curtis Chapman about being still before God:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3cKULOBMEk

Lyrics:

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still oh, restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still, be speechless

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still, be still.”