Stand Still by E. S. W.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 2, 1862

Stand Still.

By E. S. W.

It is not in the providence of God to do anything for his people that they can do themselves; but when they have done all that they can do, they should then cry unto the Lord in their extremity, and patiently wait his time, stand still, cease to trouble themselves about that which they cannot help, or about that which they cannot remove by their own actions or exertions. Their extremity becomes God's opportunity; and if for their good, he will work for them.

Christian travelers in their journey through this world frequently find themselves in strait places, and at times their way appears to be entirely hedged up. When this occurs, instead of turning about or seeking some by-way to lead them around the difficulty, they should heed the injunction to stand still and wait for the Lord to open the way for them.

The children of Israel, in their flight from Egypt during their wanderings in the vicinity of the Red Sea, passed through a deep defile in the mountains till they suddenly came in full view of the Red Sea. Here their way seemed to be entirely hedged up. Before them was the Red Sea, whose white-capped waves were rolling before them, and lashing in their fury the rock-bound coast. On either side they beheld ragged and inaccessible rocks, which reared their heads almost to the clouds. There appeared no outlet, no way by which they could proceed, and the order was given to pitch their tents and await the direction of the Almighty. As they were thus silently encamped in this gloomy place, those in the rear heard behind them the rumbling of chariot-wheels and the tramp of an armed host, and soon beheld in the distance the waving of banners and the glitter of arms. They now for the first time became aware that they were pursued.

What consternation and alarm spread through that vast encampment as the news became general that Pharaoh and his host were upon them. Now mark their conduct: instead of crying to God for deliverance, they commenced upbraiding Moses for bringing them out, as they supposed, to perish in the wilderness. They said in irony, "Because there were no graves in Egypt hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?"

And as is generally the case with those who are disposed to murmur and complain, they taunt him with what they had said, and what their better judgment would have dictated: "Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness."

No doubt there was great commotion in that vast camp as the Egyptian host drew near. Some probably were essaying to climb the sides of the mountains, some running here and some there, while others were for going back and throwing themselves before Pharaoh and entreating his pardon. All was confusion and excitement, and that vast assembly swayed to and fro like the angry waves of the sea before them. But while all this confusion was prevailing among the people, there was one in that vast assembly whose head was clear, and whose presence of mind had not forsaken him. His trust was not in the arm of flesh, but in the living God. It was Moses, the servant of God. When in the midst of the commotion, his voice is heard above the din of confusion, "Stand still!" There is a momentary lull in that great concourse of people. Again is heard distinctly above the roar of the waves and the noise of the excited host, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!" All is quiet now, and attention. Immediately follows the command of the Almighty to his servant Moses, "Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward." Moses, by the command of the Lord, stretches out his rod over the sea, it is divided, and the fugitive host passed through on dry ground. Thus the extremity of the children of Israel became God's opportunity; and, as we are informed that "whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our learning," may we not reap a lesson of instruction from this portion of their experience?

We are no doubt approaching close places in our pilgrimage; and at this time, no doubt to many the way appears hedged up. Look in which direction they may, there appears no way of escape; on either hand appear impassable barriers. Before them is the difficulty; behind them is the Devil and his host. "What shall we do?" "What can we do?" are the exclamations we hear on every hand; and as they begin to be hemmed in closer and closer, like Israel of old, they commence to murmur, and complain, and to find fault with God's chosen leaders who have led them through defiles between the mountains of error on either hand, and in which in turning a point they have come suddenly upon what to them appears to be an impassable sea of difficulties. Hold! brethren. Will you not profit by the experience of the children of Israel, and cease your murmurs and your complaints? Heed the injunction, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Do not go back, nor attempt to move forward until the way opens before you, and all will be well.

This cause is in the hands of the Lord, and he will take care of it. He has not brought us out thus far to perish, neither has he withdrawn his Spirit from us, but in his own good time he will make all things plain. In all the Christian graces, "go forward;" but in matters you do not understand, and where the way is hedged up, until you get light and the way is open, "stand still." E. S. W.