Can We Be Still in the Storm?
The call to be still is not an invitation to idleness but a summons to trust in the Lord's salvation.
We want comfort. The gospel offers something harder, and better. In the midst of chaos, when the world feels like it's closing in, our instinct is to act, to fight, to do something — anything — to regain control. But the gospel calls us to a different path: "stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" (Exodus 14:13).
Here we find the Israelites trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's advancing army, a situation that seems to demand immediate action. Fear grips them as they face what seems to be an inevitable defeat. Yet, Moses speaks words that defy their panic: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day" (Exodus 14:13). The command to "stand still" is not one of passivity but of profound trust.
The Hebrew word for "stand still" is yâtsab H3320, which conveys the idea of placing oneself firmly, standing fast, or remaining steadfast. It is a call to station ourselves in faith, to resist the urge to flee or fight by our own strength. This call echoes through Scripture, as in 2 Chronicles 20:17: "Ye shall not [need] to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye [still], and see the salvation of the LORD with you."
To "see the salvation of the LORD" is to witness His deliverance, a deliverance that is both physical and spiritual. The word for "salvation" here is yeshû‛âh H3444, a word that carries the weight of deliverance, victory, and welfare. It is not merely the avoidance of danger but the comprehensive peace and safety that God provides.
The Lord's promise is clear: "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace" (Exodus 14:14). This is more than a promise of physical rescue; it is a declaration of God's sovereignty and His intimate involvement in the lives of His people. The Hebrew word for "fight" is lâcham H3898, which means to battle or to engage in warfare. Yet, it is God who fights, not us.
In Deuteronomy 3:22, we see this assurance again: "Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you." The battle belongs to the Lord, and our role is to trust and to be still. This notion is beautifully captured in Isaiah 30:15, "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."
Yet, how do we reconcile this with our natural inclination to act? (I, too, have felt the pull to do something, anything, when fear looms large.) Here is the sharp antithesis: Our striving often leads to exhaustion, but God's rest leads to strength.
As we stand on the edge of our own Red Seas, facing the armies of anxiety, doubt, and fear, we are invited to "be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). This is not a call to inactivity but to a deeper activity of the heart — to trust in the One who holds all things in His hands.
In the quietness of stillness, we find His strength. The Israelites saw the salvation of the Lord as He parted the sea before them, a vivid testament to His power and faithfulness. "Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians" (Exodus 14:30). This salvation is a foretaste of the ultimate deliverance through Christ, who fought the battle against sin and death on our behalf.
We are reminded of this in Isaiah 41:10: "Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Our God is not distant; He is present, fighting for us, calling us to rest in His strength.
In returning to our central image, we are like the Israelites, standing with the sea before us and the army behind. Yet, in the stillness, we see the Lord's salvation unfold. We hold our peace, not because the storm has ceased, but because we trust the One who commands the storm.
The call to be still is not an invitation to idleness but a summons to trust in the Lord's salvation. It is a quiet confidence, knowing that "the LORD shall fight for you" (Exodus 14:14). As we hold our peace, we bear witness to His deliverance, His victory, and His unfailing love.
And so, we stand still, not in fear, but in faith. We hold our peace, knowing that the Lord is with us, fighting for us, and leading us through the waters. In this quiet trust, we find our strength.
Let us pray.
Lord, teach us to be still in the midst of our fears. Help us to trust in Your salvation and to know that You fight for us. Grant us the peace that comes from resting in Your strength. In Jesus' name, amen.