Day 95 - Still
Scripture focus: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14 NIV
In the course of our lively discussion about how Jesus would approach the game of basketball, someone quoted today's verse. Implied in the quoting was a belief that aggressive play on the court would presume that the player lacked faith. According to this person, a faithful person "need only to be still." God would rescue him. I must respectfully beg to differ.
Did Noah sit around hoping God would save him from the impending flood?
Did Abraham stick close to home, hoping God would bring the Promised Land to his doorstep?
Did Abraham and Sarah, in their old age, sit around and wait for God to deliver a baby to their doorstep?
Did Joseph fall into a great depression in the face of familial treachery, never again to show initiative and ambition, hoping somehow that God would make everything turn out ok in the end?
What about Moses' mom? Did she just assume the king's edict to kill her baby was what it was, and in so assuming hand that boy over for slaughter?
Did Moses decide it best to hang out in the Pharoah's palatial estate, waiting comfortably for God to figure out a way to rescue the Israelite people?
Did the people fleeing bondage in Egypt, stand on tippy toes at the edge of the Red Sea, assuming God would somehow magically transport them over it?
Did the people say "No way!" to the command to march around the city of Jericho, certain that they didn't have the power to crumble the city's fortified walls - waiting patiently on the sidelines, hoping God would find a way to give them the city?
Did Rahab the prostitute wring her hands in despair, hoping God would find a way to save those spies?
What about Gideon? Did he cower in his cave, hoping God would save him and his people from the wrath of the Midianites?
Did David hope that God would do something about Goliath?
Did Jesus opt out of the final stage of God's plan, hoping that God would find a softer, gentler way to redeem his people?
No! Eleven times no! Certainly Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses' mom (and Moses), the Israelites, Rahab and the spies, Gideon and his warriors, David, and even Jesus - all had to be still long enough to hear the voice of God instruct them on their next step. But at some point, they were told to step. That's when the gifts of ambition and passion are needed. It is in that moment when a person needs a big heart.
Recommended reading: Deuteronomy 26 and 27 in the morning; Luke 11 in the evening
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