“Stand Still” and “Go Forward”

By Royce Frederick

At the shore of the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army not far behind, “Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. (14) The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.’ (15) And the LORD said to Moses, ‘...Tell the children of Israel to go forward. (16) But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea” (Ex. 14:13-16). God caused a strong east wind to blow all night and divide the Red Sea. Israel crossed over on dry land, then the sea returned and drowned the pursuing army of Pharaoh.

“Stand still” — do not run away in fear, but be patient and trust that the Lord will help you.

“Go forward” — continue onward in the Lord’s way, in the path of righteousness. 

With patient endurance, we must press on, even when we do not see how God will bring us out of our troubles (Lk. 8:15; 2 Thess. 1:4; 1 Tim. 6:11-12; Heb. 6:12; 12:1-2; Rom. 8:28). Paul tells Christians, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).