Fear Not, Stand Still & Hold Your Peace
Written by Jarred Rushing
(6 minutes)
As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’” (Exodus 14:10-12)
We left off yesterday with a very important thought that I want to bring into our walk with Abba today. Are we truly convinced that Abba is good?
What if how willing we are to believe that He is kind determines how far into transformation we will go?
If our soul is not quieted by His kindness, our anxiety will cause us to run away from the sea that we're supposed to see our enemy drowned in. Our believing that Abba is kind has everything to do with how far we will go into the freedom that He has in store for us. You can see the truth of this statement in Israel's reaction to the enemy army drawing closer to their camp. The threat of being overtaken always brings out the deepest beliefs we hold in our heart. For Israel, it wasn't the firm foundation of Abba's kindness that came pouring out, it was their anxiety-fueled belief that a life in bondage to Egypt would be better than trusting Yahweh out in the wilderness. We'd rather be secure and in control with chains on our feet than vulnerable and exposed with only Yahweh to protect us. Yeah, that would be better for us! Humanity is funny in this way: we'd rather stay in control in chaos than trust someone else in freedom. And true freedom requires that very thing: trusting someone else to protect you. I don't believe we're ever truly free if we're still relying on our own ability to protect and defend ourselves against the issues and problems of life. You can't be enjoying abundant life and on guard against enemy attack at the same time. Joy and anxiety don't play well together. This is why most people choose religion over surrendering everything to Yahweh, because true freedom requires me to put down my weapons and hold peace while someone else fights for me. Anxiety and fear require me to be "at the ready" and fight my own battles; or better yet, to never be put in the position to fight at all. We said, "Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!” (Exodus 14:12)
So what does "fighting" look like in the Kingdom of God? What does true freedom require us to do when a battle is before us?
And Moses said to the people, “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)
Here's the Kingdom-way to fight a battle: Don't be afraid, stand still, and hold your peace (literally translated as "keep quiet").
I know what you're thinking.
One, that's not what you learned in Spiritual Warfare 101.
And two, how in the world is this posture even possible when there's a battle unfolding before your very eyes? How do you not be afraid? How do you stand still and watch? Even more difficult, how do you stay quiet and hold your peace?
Let me answer those questions first. How is it possible to have that posture when there's a battle unfolding before you? How can you hold your peace when everything is falling apart? Here's how: you have to be more familiar with the kindness of God than you are with the lie that says He's not with you, He's left you to fend for yourself, and He's abandoned you here to die. There's only one way that you can be in the midst of a war and not be afraid, stand still, and hold your peace: You must be convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Abba's love would never leave you, forsake you, or put you in harm's way. Being in the presence of the Father, even if an army surrounds me, is the safest place I could ever be. The kindness of God is how you fear not, stand still, and hold your peace. We must become more intimate with Yahweh's kindness than we have been with fear and anxiety.
And yes, I know it's not what you learned in your spiritual warfare class. The class would have been much shorter if it was taught by Yahweh. There's no screaming, shouting or talking to the enemy involved in His battle plans. Real spiritual warfare is the most quiet, calm and battle-less activity that you will ever engage in when you're walking with Abba. Listen! It doesn't even require you to offer up prayers of desperation to Yahweh. Notice what GOD says in the next verse:
Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Speak to the sons of Israel so that they go forward." (Exodus 14:15)
This could possibly be the most awesome thing I've ever heard God say. "Why are you crying out to Me?" Yahweh goes on to say to Moses, "Your job is to clear the way. Their job is to walk across on dry ground. My job is to make sure that you never see Pharaoh's face ever again. Start walking!"
I can't help but think of the song lyrics, "This is how I fight my battles. This is how I fight my battles. It may look like I'm surrounded, but I'm surrounded by You."
Establishing the foundation of Abba's kindness in our heart will lead to a whole new perspective concerning the issues and problems that come our way. We're inheriting a completely different set of blueprints as we begin building on this foundation of being convinced that God is actually good. Egypt will make less and less sense as Abba becomes more and more kind in our eyes.
I will say it again: If our soul is not quieted by His kindness, our anxiety will cause us to run away from the sea that we're supposed to see our enemy drowned in. Our believing that Abba is kind has everything to do with how far we will go into the freedom that He has in store for us.
Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance? (Romans 2:4)
Be overwhelmed by the kindness of Abba as you walk with Him today! Let it melt your heart and open your eyes to the truth: Yahweh doesn't do abandonment. He'll never leave His beloved sons and daughters behind. His love is a consuming fire. It never burns us, but it burns every weapon formed against us. Don't be afraid, stand still, and hold your peace!
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Worship: "Surrounded (Fight My Battles)" by UPPERROOM
Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place
Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!
