Week Thirty One - Hold Your Peace

Moses' statement sounded absurd as the Israelites stood on the banks of the river with the Egyptian army closing in. "Fear ye not, stand still...the Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace" (Exodus14:13 14). They could not retreat; they could not go forward; they were shut in on the right hand and on the left. What were they going to do?

When we find ourselves in such straits and brought to extraordinary difficulties, what do we do? 

I’m sure we make a noise! Fear sets in, and we experience “flee or flight” knee-jerk reactions. Few of us have learned the grace to hold our peace.

Spurgeon puts forward this idea. "It is wise for you if, at such time, you would just listen to your Master's words, for other and evil advisors come with their suggestions.

Despair whispers, 'Lie down and die; give it all up.' But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in His love and faithfulness.

Cowardice says, 'Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.' But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. He bids you go from strength to strength, and so you shall, and neither death nor hell shall turn you from your course. What, if for a while you are called to stand still, yet this is only to renew your strength for some greater advance in due time.

Precipitancy (rashness or suddenness action) cries, 'do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait is sheer idleness.' we must be doing something at once - we must do it so we think - instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything.

Presumption boasts, 'If the sea is before you, march into it and expect a miracle.' 

But Faith listens neither to Presumption, or to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, 'Stand firm,' and immovable as a rock it stands. Stand firm;' - keep the posture of an upright person, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long before God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, 'Go forward.'"

Dear friend, our inner man cries out for action when we face hard decisions or pressing circumstances, but more often the Spirit of God instructs us to wait, rest, and watch. It is often hard to not take things into our own hands and try to force a solution. However, when we do that we either make things worse or miss out on seeing the hand of God. 

Holding our peace and trusting the Lord is an exercise of faith as we "cheerfully and patiently await the directing voice." And I will assure you, there is nothing greater or more assuring than knowing it is God's voice that opens up the way and points you to the straight path.

So, let's be careful to not allow the voices of our inner evil advisors cheat us out of the blessing found in waiting on the Lord. Let's not miss out on seeing Him part the sea and take us over on dry ground. 

Listen carefully, "Fear ye not, stand still...the Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace" (Exodus14:13 14).