As we come to the end of a year post pandemic my mind travels back to the height of the pandemic where most of us was made to sit still. Not because we wanted to, but because we were made to.

Most women don’t do very well with sitting still. Some of us prefer being busy and doing something about our circumstances.

Stillness for some equates to nothing being done.

Are you the type who doesn’t sit still very well? Do you prefer being busy and doing something about your circumstances rather than just waiting and being still?

The stillness and waiting-room posture of a worldwide pandemic became quite a challenge for most last year. People were dealing with illness, death, personal challenges and other unexpected events and they literally had no choice but to be still… yet sitting still doesn’t mean the Lord isn’t at work.

Exodus 14:14(NIV) is an often-quoted verse. I’ve inserted my name in this verse quite a bit: “The LORD will fight for you, [Cynthia]; you need only to be still.”

There have been many times in my life when I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Lord was fighting on my behalf. The hard times I would not have asked for, were the times that taught me most about God’s character, and I slowly learned how to trust Him with the unexpected.

None of us ask for the terminal diagnosis of a family member. None of us ask for the lay off at work. None of us ask for substance abuse or for mental illness to rock your family to the core. None of us ask for the series of unfortunate events to occur in our lives and none of us ask to be tested.

Nevertheless unexpectedly, we experienced God’s supernatural protection while dealing with all of the things none of us asked for.

I discovered along the way that God was not surprised by my circumstances, He knew and loved me deeply. What might have been unexpected for me was already part of His plan for His glory.

In reading Exodus, I learned some good lessons from the Israelites. They were facing unexpected circumstances, and God had a big plan in place for it all. God had rescued the Israelites from 400 years of captivity, and Pharaoh’s hardened heart had finally softened. Although Pharaoh’s change of heart was short-lived, God still fought for the Israelites even as the Egyptian army pursued them.

The Israelites, who were spiritually and emotionally weak, stood staring into the Red Sea with no choice but to wait for God to act. Moses told the Israelites, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV). Then God parted the Red Sea.

Can you imagine standing still and keeping silent with an army behind you and a sea before you? Now envision the unfolding of God’s plan that followed as they watched the Red Sea part before them.

The God we serve can do that! He has promised to fight for us just as He fought for His people at the Red Sea. The challenges we face are important opportunities for our faith to grow. What might be a huge roadblock or heartache to us is still redeemable in the unfolding of His plan.

Be encouraged and find rest in the promise of His Word that He loves and cares for each one of us. And today, trust Him with the unexpected.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for fighting on our behalf in every battle we face. You are never surprised by our circumstances. Help us to trust You and the unfolding of Your plans daily. Help us to stand still and recognize You in every battle. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PEARLStoPONDER: Take time to thank God for His faithfulness even if you feel like you’re up against a Red Sea.

Exodus 14:14--The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Psalm 46:10--He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Matthew 6:25-- Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Romans 8:28— And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Hebrews 13:8-- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.