Be Still when Cornered at your Red Sea
They were deliberately led into a Cul de Sac where it appeared that they were trapped. We know they were led by Lord as that is on record in Exodus 13:21
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
Fear came upon them as the advancing army of Pharoah overtook them. They were pinned against the Red Sea, with a binary outcome. Either God delivered them, or Pharoah would wipe them out.
Their vocabulary changed to lack of faith and defeat where they said it was better to have stayed in bondage than die in the desert. It was at this point that Moses the leader intervened and told the people not to be afraid and be still. His words of reassurance and confidence are recorded in Exodus 14:13-14
Moses answered the people, “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.”
What followed was the miraculous escape via the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army.
Be still when surrounded by multiple advancing forces
It was a similar story for King Jehoshaphat when he found himself and his people surrounded by three advancing armies. The king and his people sought the help of the Lord of the Universe. It was significant that Jehoshaphat acknowledged that he was powerless in the situation and needed the intervention of the Lord. His words are recorded in 2 Chronicles 20:12
“For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
In the confusion the Spirit of the Lord fell upon a man called Jahaziel, who said the following to the people in 2 Chronicles 20:15-17
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel.
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.”
The result was the Lord of the Universe setting up an ambush which created confusion among the advancing armies. They fought and destroyed each other. What is more is all the resources they brought with them, became the spoils of war for Jehoshaphat and his people. There was so much spoil and treasure it took 3 days for Jehosaphat and his people to remove it.
I therefore signpost to the writings of the sons of Korah who wrote Psalms 46.
Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Observations and Applications
At some stage in the journey of faith, we will come to a Cul de sac. A place where we can no further but by the supernatural intervention of the Lord of the Universe. If you are a person who believes in Him, it is most likely He has deliberately led you to the place that looks like a dead end.
You cannot go forward, cannot go back and there is no room to maneuver. Whatever has been oppressing you appears to have finally caught you. To the casual observer it looks like you are about to be wiped out. Yet while you are in the eye of the storm, the word of encouragement to you is the same as those in my article; Be still and Know that He is God.
Be Still
To be still means you can relax and have no anxiety. It is a place of rest and assurance that all is in hand. Being still is a sign of trust and confidence in God, to manage the matter. Being sill is an act of surrender to the higher authority and power of the Lord of the Universe.
I know they are closing in on you but be still.
It seems like you are about to be destroyed but be still.
I know it looks impossible but be still.
You have done all you can do so be still.
God has got you covered and has made a way of escape.
Know that He is God
The reason we can be still when all manner of turbulence is breaking around us, is because we know He is God.
We understand He is faithful to a thousand generations. That He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. That the matter at hand did not take him by surprise. We trust that he always has a way of escape and will not allow us to be tried beyond our ability (2 Corinthians 10:13).
We trust that the situation was a setup to bless us.
Conclusion
The situation you face is impossible for you to solve. It was designed to be that way. To get to next level of your journey may require the supernatural intervention of the Lord. He is author and finisher of our faith. We cannot finish but He is the great finisher.
In the middle of the storm the requirement is to trust that He has it all under control. According to the sons of Korah in Psalms 46:10
He Says – Be Still and Know that He is God
