Stand Still!

Reading:  Numbers 7, 8, 9
My Verse:  "And Moses said to them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you" (9:8).

  Such a wonderful command from You, Oh LORD God!  But, oh, it is a most difficult one!  We fret.  We strive.  We cry.  We beg You for immediate help - now!

This passage is such a beautiful illustration of how You want to care for us.  You visually show the Israelites Your guiding presence in the form of "the cloud by day and appearance of fire by night" (9:16). By the cloud they knew when they were to be still and when they were to move.  When You wanted them to move You moved the cloud.  When You wanted them to be still You kept the cloud still.  It is wrong  for us to think they had it easy!  For even with this visual reminder of You  it was hard to be still and wait upon You.  They actually got themselves into trouble by not obeying this guidance.  (Numbers 14:1-4)   www.esvbible.org/search/Numbers+14/1-4

And so today we too get ourselves into trouble.  We just find it so difficult to wait upon You!  We panic because we see the immediacy of our trouble.  The illustration in Joshua 3 is another wonderful picture of You asking us to "stand still."  You told the priests to walk into the Jordan and "you shall stand still in the Jordan" (Joshua 3:8).  Talk about immediacy of trouble!  They were in this raging river, it was the time of harvest,  "now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest" (Joshua 3:15).  No, they were not asked to do a  simple thing.

How I need to keep this in mind.  I am too quick to think my situation as unique.  I need constant reminding that You are LORD of my life!  I need constant reminding that You love me more than I can ever understand.  I need constant reminding that You see the big picture - I do not, I cannot!

 Help me LORD God, to be still and silent when You tell me to.

"The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent" (Exodus 14:14).

"Teach me and I will be silent;
   make me to understand how I have gone astray" (Job 6:24).

Help me, LORD God to listen for Your guidance, to be discerning and patient.

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it,"  when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:21).

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him" (Psalm 37:7).

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the LORD
    more than watchmen for the morning,
    more than watchmen for the morning" (Psalm 130:5.6).

Oh LORD God, keep me from rushing out into places I have no business in , or strength and wisdom for.
Yes, LORD God, help me to wait for You.  Help me to stand still.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!