Standing Still

Written on September 20, 2012

Today we live in a society where everything and everyone is always on the go.  Think of a normal day in the city.  It’s full of people practically speed walking to get to a place where their probably not even late to.  Or if you’re driving, the driver behind you already honks you to go before the light is able to turn green. We live in a society where the quicker things are the better.  Because of this, when things are slow to come, we become frustrated and angry.

Today I was reading Numbers 9:15-23 and it spoke of the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai and the cloud above the Tabernacle.  God gave the Israelites clear direction that whenever the cloud was above the tabernacle they must stand still and whenever the cloud lifted they were able to go. I placed myself in the shoes of the Israelites to see how they probably felt about this command.  They were in a desert!  I’m sure it was hot;they were probably always thirsty and a bit agitated.  I know I would be!  However, the scripture says as long as the cloud was above them, they would wait.  It mentions that at times it stayed for only two days and sometimes for as long as a year.  No matter what, they obeyed the command of God.

Now some of us, including myself, are probably in a season of standing still. In this season we are the modern day Israelites who are under the tabernacle with the cloud right above us.  We know we have to stand still although we are in the middle of a desert!  It may feel discomforting and frustrating in the natural but I have great news…it’s through this time of standing still where God is able to do the greatest work within us! Although it seems like nothing is being done as we’re still, it’s through this time that God is able to do a great work.  A lot of times God has us still so that he can perform a great surgery on us before he sends us out. Christ will never send us out to a new season before its time!

 Just because Christ requires you to be still for a season does not mean the promises he gave you are void!  Remember Abraham stood still for25 years before he received his promise! In Romans 4:20-21 it says “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”  The key point is that Abraham did not waver as he stood still waiting for God, instead he was strengthened!  As we are standing still, our faith is not only being tested, but we are being strengthened, we are mounting up with wings as eagles,running and not being weary, walking and not being faint (Isaiah 430:31).

So whether Christ is asking you to stand still when it comes to owning a home, dating, pursuing your career or anything in general, know that it’s for your good.  When God asks you to stand still, it’s because he’s completing you, strengthening you, and preparing you for what’s to come!

God bless!