InstaEncouragements Building a worldwide online community of encouragers encouraging others in the faith of Jesus Christ. Join the movement!
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Christianity
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • 52 Days in Psalms
    • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
    • She Loves Truth
    • Hey Mama! PRAY
    • Seeking Him
    • Aging With Grace
    • Choosing Gratitude
  • Library
    • 16 Names of God
    • Bible Reading Plan
    • The ABCs Study Guide
    • The ABCS Bible Study
    • Disciple Me Program
    • Come and Gather
    • She Loves Truth Guide
    • She Loves Truth Study
    • The Red Sea Rules
    • Praying Proverbs
    • 12 Letters I Wrote
    • Christmas Songbook
    • LOVE Coupons
  • The Heart That Heals
    • Read Chapter 1 of The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
    • The Heart That Heals printable package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God
Gospel Collection banner

Be Still and Go Forward

9/18/2020

4 Comments

 
Be Still and Go Forward
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10
"The Lord said to Moses, 'Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward." Exodus 14:15
Do you have any favorite Truths from Scripture? Passages of promise that make your soul sing and direct your heart towards worship and praise? 

Recently, after listening to a Sunday message emphasizing the need for rest in the believer’s life, I entered the week meditating on Psalm 46:10a: “Be still, and know that I am God.” 

​These words of instruction always touch my heart in a special way. They’re God’s reminder to me every day that I let my busy schedule run my life and my heart.
TDGC logo banner
TDGC Bible study banner
​This favorite verse of mine was made more powerful as I recalled Pastor’s encouragement to rest so that we can see God provide, so that we don’t rely on ourselves, and so that we don’t worry. He stressed that rest for the Christian—this “being still” on the Sabbath or in our personal quiet times with God—settles our soul in “God’s sufficiency and His ownership of it all.” 

We’re not simply supposed to slow down. We are told to stop. 
“And on the seventh day God ended His work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:2-3
Created in God’s image and cleansed by His Son’s death, we Christians follow God’s example. He rested to show us how to rest: a complete cessation of our work so that we have time and energy to refocus our hearts on the One who satisfies our souls. The ability to truly rest shows that we are sincerely trusting in God’s faithfulness and ability to keep the world running while we’re not “helping.” 

These meditations from Pastor’s sermon, Genesis 2, and Psalm 46 were still floating around in my mind—a soothing balm to my heart—when I read a devotional pulling from Exodus 14—Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea: ​
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” Exodus 14:15
I realize this command was given to the children of Israel when they were caught between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, but those two words, “go forward,” became so sticky in my brain that they refused to disentangle themselves from the peaceful “be still” melody still playing in my soul. ​
“Be still” and “go forward” are two very different commands. And yet, they are both given to God’s people. Obviously, they do not cancel each other out. ​

There is a time to be still. 
There is a time to go forward. 

What struck me in that sticky moment of truth was that I am much more comfortable in following the one than I am the other. ​
God gifts us with different strengths and weaknesses to help us follow Him while still showing us our need for Him. Being still is a strength of mine. I like meditating on who God is. “Be still, and know that I am God,” conjures up cozy images of a comfortable chair by a window where I sit with my Bible and a mug of coffee staring out at the wonder of God’s creation and letting my heart praise Him for Who He is and what He has done. 

That is my comfort zone, and it is a vital part of a thriving Christian life. But there is something missing from this picture. Those two little words “go forward,” remind me that I’m not only supposed to reflect on the great things God has done, I’m also supposed to focus on the things that I do for Him. Being still is necessary to know God, but going forward is necessary to follow God. 

The Christian life is a life of balance. When the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s armies, God gave them a simple command: “Go forward.” 
As a cloud of dust rose up from Pharaoh’s chariots and the mighty waters of the sea parted under Moses’ outstretched staff, it wasn’t the time for Israel to sit down and meditate on God’s character. That moment was a time for action—an act of obedience in following God’s command and trust in God’s ability to bring them safely across the Red Sea. ​
Being still draws me into a safe communion with my loving Father, but going forward to do His will can terrify me sometimes. So many excuses and fears pass through my mind when I feel the Spirit leading me to take what I know of God and use it in my day-to-day life:
  • “God, I see that my coworker is hurting, but I’m not good at speaking encouraging words. I’ll say the wrong thing and give her the wrong impression of Your love.”
  • “Father, I know Your church is important, but taking responsibility for a church ministry or program terrifies me. I’m not very outgoing, and I’m sure there is someone who could do a better job. I would just fail.” 
  • “Lord, I know that You died for all sinners and that I am Your mouthpiece for the gospel on earth, but the sinful lifestyle of my neighbor scares me. I can’t get involved in such a messy situation—people might get the wrong impression of me if they see me with such a sinner!” 
These are the moments in my life where it is no longer time to be still. Obedience to God’s will for my life demands that I then go forward. It’s okay that I’m not comfortable. It’s more than okay, because God’s strength will shine all the brighter through my weak, trembling attempts. ​
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
Do you struggle with going forward? Maybe your strengths are different than mine. Do you jump into action and struggle to be still?
  • Perhaps you love involving yourself in ministry and engaging people in Gospel conversations, but at the end of the day, you often forget to slow down and meditate upon Who your God is.
  • Perhaps you tend to forget that it’s not you doing those works of service, but God working through you.  
Just as God has His strong arms around me when I am taking baby steps forward, His Spirit is there to bring rest, peace, and renewal to your soul. He can teach you how to be still and know that He is God.

All we have to do is obey. He will take it from there. ​
Cami
Being still or going forward—where are your strengths and weaknesses?
Please Share
4 Comments
Karen Del Tatto link
9/18/2020 08:26:22 pm

I have Psalm 46:10 in stencil over my desk in my home office to remind myself to be still and know that He is God.

This week our Ladies Bible Study is doing a study on the Questions God Asks and the verse you shared "Why do you cry out to me? Get up and go" was one of them. It truly is so interesting to see the difference in those two verses yet the important connection between the too.

Thanks for sharing your insights.

Reply
Cami
9/19/2020 11:01:28 am

That’s great, Karen! Psalm 46:10 has long been one of my favorite verses, but I think this month God knew I needed to be told to “Get up and go.” I love how He uses His word to teach us!

Reply
mariel link
9/23/2020 12:24:07 pm

yes, amen! the cross where following Him and knowing Him meet is exactly to where we are called as His children. Thank you for how beautifully you unpacked this here. This has given me more to ponder.

Reply
Cami
9/23/2020 05:14:27 pm

I love how you put that Mariel! Following Him and knowing Him do meet at the Cross. It’s a beautiful picture and day-to-day process.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    HSRC Free Preview
    Patsy
    Hi friend, welcome to InstaEncouragements. I am so glad you are here. You’re among friends. You belong here. 

    How would you like access to our online library of helpful eBooks, devotionals, printables, lock screens, and more? You’re going to love this library, there is all kinds of exclusive content, just for you!

    Join the movement by signing up below and I'll send you the link today. And no worries, We don’t spam. Promise! We don’t like spam either.

    After you've joined the movement, hop on over to our about page to learn more about us and then to our contact form and introduce yourself so we can be on a first-name basis. I'd like that!
    Patsy signature

    Join the movement!

    * indicates required
    ARTZA banner
    Use our exclusive code INSTA25 for 25% OFF your subscription box!

    Top Posts

    16 Names of God & What They Mean
    12 Things the Bible Says God Knows About Us
    6 Things We Can Learn From Habakkuk 
    From a Proverbs 31 Woman to a Titus 2 Woman
    18 Characteristics of True Christianity
    10 Favorite Bible Verses on Adoption
    12 Letters I Wrote to a Friend With Cancer
    A Lesson From King Jehoshaphat

    Featured

    Welcome Heart
    LaurenSparks.net
    beLydia.org
    Brave Women Series
    Grace & Truth
    Messy Marriage
    Money Wise Steward
    Wield The Word
    Woman of Noble Character
    The Best Bible Study Books For Women

    Categories

    All
    7 Things God Is Not
    ABCs Of The Bible
    Amanda
    Bible Emergency Numbers
    Bible Study
    Books We Love
    Cami
    Cancer
    Christine
    Come And Gather
    Debbie
    Elisabeth
    Family Life
    Guest Post
    Journey To The Cross
    Julie
    Kathy
    Link Ups
    Our Words Matter
    Printables
    Stephanie
    Summer Book Club
    Sweeter Than Honey
    The Bible

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018

InstaEncouragements participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program 
designed to provide a means for this site to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 
This site also contains affiliate links for The Daily Grace Company, Faithbox, Minted.com,
​
Canvas Vows, Digital Grab Bag, Grove Collaborative, Faithful Life Planner, and Tailwind.
InstaEncouragements will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links or a link from one of our posts.
​​Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Terms & Conditions
InstaEncouragements logo
© InstaEncouragements |2023|  all rights reserved
IE blog footer image
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Christianity
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • 52 Days in Psalms
    • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
    • She Loves Truth
    • Hey Mama! PRAY
    • Seeking Him
    • Aging With Grace
    • Choosing Gratitude
  • Library
    • 16 Names of God
    • Bible Reading Plan
    • The ABCs Study Guide
    • The ABCS Bible Study
    • Disciple Me Program
    • Come and Gather
    • She Loves Truth Guide
    • She Loves Truth Study
    • The Red Sea Rules
    • Praying Proverbs
    • 12 Letters I Wrote
    • Christmas Songbook
    • LOVE Coupons
  • The Heart That Heals
    • Read Chapter 1 of The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
    • The Heart That Heals printable package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God