The Lord Will Fight for You All You Have to Do Is Be Still

by furaha nchimbi | 16 April 2024 08:46 am04

Exodus 14:13-14 states

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.” (NIV)

This powerful declaration comes at a critical moment when the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s pursuing army and the Red Sea. Theologically, this passage reveals God’s sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant people. It demonstrates that salvation is ultimately God’s work He is the divine warrior who fights on behalf of His people, and human efforts must sometimes yield to His divine intervention.

When the Lord fights for us, it marks the end of fear, grumbling, and despair. The Israelites’ fear and panic reflect human tendencies to forget God’s past faithfulness when facing overwhelming challenges. Despite witnessing God’s miraculous acts such as the plagues that subdued Pharaoh their faith faltered at the crisis.

This reflects a common spiritual struggle: forgetting God’s past deliverance can lead to anxiety and distrust in the present. Like the Israelites, many believers today face trials where they must choose between fear and faith.

Theologically, the call to “be still” (Hebrew: raphah, meaning to let go or cease striving) is an invitation to trust in God’s power and timing. It aligns with Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God,” emphasizing rest in God’s sovereignty amid turmoil.

When surrounded by danger and darkness, losing peace and perhaps tempted to despair or speak harsh words, it is not the time to complain or grumble. Instead, believers are called to pray for God’s peace a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7) and trust Him to fight their battles.

The promise is that when God fights for us, sorrow melts away, shame disappears, and the urge to sin in speech or deed diminishes. Instead, joy and praise fill our hearts, just as the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea.

Exodus 15:1-10 records their triumphant song:

“Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
‘I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.

The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.

Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea.

The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone.

Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.

In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble.

By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood up like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’

But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.’” (NIV)

This song not only celebrates God’s mighty deliverance but also acknowledges Him as a divine warrior who fights evil on behalf of His people. It prefigures the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, providing believers with hope and assurance that God is active in their struggles.

Be blessed.

Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2024/04/16/the-lord-will-fight-for-you-all-you-have-to-do-is-be-still/

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