One of the most difficult things for us to do is to do nothing and stand still. If I would tell you not to move for 5 minutes, the majority of us would have to do something. When I was young, my sisters and I would always play the quiet game. We’ve all played this game. Whoever could be the quietest the longest would be the winner. Because I am the baby of the family, I always lost and they would laugh at me because I loved to talk. I could not be still.

  But in life, there will be times when God needs you and me to stand still. God does not want us to move, to talk or to fight back…JUST STAND STILL. The story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles chapter 20 shows us how to stand still and allow God to fight our battles. There were 3 groups of people who wanted to declare war on Jehoshaphat. Some people in his camp came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you.” The first thing Jehoshaphat did was declared a fast then he prayed to God. He did not act out or try to defend himself. He did not say, “Well, we’re going to go and fight them.” Neither did he boast and say, “Who do they think they are trying to come up against me; do they know who I am?” He didn’t act out of his godly character….HE WAS STILL. God later caused the three armies to begin fighting among themselves. 2 Chronicles 20: 22-23 describes what happens when you just stand still. It said, “As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and defeat them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.” Jehoshaphat was obedient to God’s instructions and he was victorious. Exodus 14:14 also reminds us that, “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

    When issues arise in our lives, our first human instinct is to react. However, we must deny our flesh and let our spirit man rule in us. There will be times when God will direct you to move and take action. However, there are times when God wants you and me to just STAND STILL! There are some battles that we simply can’t fight and shouldn’t fight. Sometimes God tells us to take our positions, stand still and see His deliverance. At different moments in our lives, we need to take our hands off the situation, stand back and let God fight for us.

  If you don’t know what to do, be still until God gives you direction. When God speaks, listen and obey Him. God will get the glory and there will be victory for us every time when we STAND STILL.

“Stand Still” Prayer: Lord God, you are mighty and strong. Your word declares your strength. I need you now. You know what I am facing. You know what the evil doers have planned and what they are doing and saying. Jesus, rescue your servant. Come strong on my behalf. Lord Jesus, equip me to stand still. While I fast and pray, I will trust you to work out the situation for me. I bind my flesh against reacting. I bind my flesh to your will. Because you, Lord, are on my side, I will not be moved. I seek your justice. I will not take vengeance in my own hands. I will put my trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.