Be Still verses Stand Still

Psalms 46:10


Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.



Exodus 14:13

And 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.



God’s Word has such rich contrasts. I have long been fascinated by the contrast in these verses, but as I look at them in relation to this season we are in together, they come alive even more.

In Psalms, BE STILL in Strong’s is defined as: H7503 A primitive root; to slacken (in many applications, literally or figuratively): - abate, cease, consume, draw [toward evening], fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still.

Exactly what we are trying to accomplish during these 21 days. Allow yourself to be weak. Allow things to cease, God to consume, be feeble in your own strength, leave behind things not needful. Let alone, let go, let down. LET GOD!!! Not for the purpose of laziness, or quitting, or giving up, or even giving in.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

So what does the verse in Exodus have to do with all of this?

In Exodus, STAND STILL in Strong’s is defined as: H3320 A primitive root; to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively to station, offer, continue: - present selves, remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-) stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up).

The people were being asked to stand firm in their faith in the Lord. Take a stand. Do not move. Stand firm in your faith.

The contrast is so powerful, because of the connection.

Just above this verse, God had met with the Israelites. They had been weak. They had waited…some 400 years…and prayed for a deliverer. They had come face to face with their Lord as He had just delivered them from Egypt. Now they were being asked to stand on the strength they had received during their season of “being still”.

This season is “being still” in order to allow God to deliver us, fill us up with His presence, allow us to come face to face with Him so that when this season is over, we are equipped, strong in our faith, armed with a fresh Word from the Lord, and ready to go out and “stand still” in the face those Egyptians in each of our own lives.

Just as God promised the Israelites, if we will “be still” He is able to equip us to “stand still” and tell us we will see Him exalted and our salvation accomplished.