Are you facing serious circumstances that seem to have no solution? Do the odds against you look overwhelming? Do you find yourself fighting off the urge to panic?
Sometimes, life serves up severe and unanticipated problems that rattle us to our core. It might be an awful medical diagnosis, a financial calamity, an accident of some kind, a persistent health problem, or a marital or family conflagration that seems to defy all resolution. As we face such dire situations, it can be hard to stay calm and quiet.
But with the Lord’s help and the assurance of His Word, that is entirely possible.
Stand Still and See
Dick’s comments: In a recent time of study in the book of Exodus regarding the Israelites’ escape out of Egypt, the Lord showed me some amazing insights. One of these pertained to the people’s panic attack when they discovered Pharaoh had changed his mind about letting them go. He and his entire Egyptian army were coming after them!
We can only imagine how overwhelmed and fearful the Israelites must have felt. They were in the wilderness with their backs to the Red Sea—defenseless, with no way of escape. Some of the terrified Israelites wailed and complained to Moses that it would have been better for them to have stayed in slavery in Egypt than to die in the desert!
In Exodus 14:13–14, Moses replied to their cries of panic. “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace [be quiet].” In other words: stay calm and quiet.
Holding Our Peace
Philip’s comments: What Dick shared is a really important point. When we are faced with seemingly overwhelming odds, rather than moaning and groaning (which is a normal human reaction), it is better not to voice our fears and apprehensions. Instead, the best path is to “Be quiet, put your hand over your mouth” as it says in Judges 18:19.
Moses’ words from Exodus vary in different translations of the Bible. Many of them say “hold your peace [literally, be quiet].” The Berean translation says, “you need only to be still;” the NASB 1995 says, “while you keep silent;” and the Amplified Bible says, “The LORD will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.”
This is the clear message to us when we are facing hard, potentially overwhelming situations in our lives. Instead of giving in to a sense of panic and voicing words of fear that actually militate against our active faith, it would be better for us to stay silent.
As hard as it may be, we must keep our eyes on the Lord—staying calm and quiet.
Looking to the Lord
Philip and Dick: We sincerely hope you are NOT facing terrible circumstances right now. But whether you are or not, it is essential to know how to respond in faith.
In a crisis similar to the Israelites at the Red Sea, King Jehoshaphat modeled the proper response. Here is his prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:12: “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” Our first response is not to panic or complain; we must look to God.
The king’s action elicited a prophetic word very much like Moses’ words in Exodus 14. It is found in verse 17: “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”
We hope these words bring you peace and comfort right now in the midst of whatever you are facing. The Lord is with you, and He can do far more than one could imagine or expect. He will fight for us—if we will stay calm and quiet before Him.
Waiting in Silence
In a one-week radio series called “Waiting for God,” Derek Prince shares helpful insights about looking to the Lord as our only hope—and waiting in quiet expectation for Him to come to our aid. He provides some good reasons to stay calm and quiet.
What is the essence of waiting for God? What is really involved in it? Why is it so important? Why is there so much emphasis on it in the Scriptures? I would like to suggest to you a passage which contains the essence of this wonderful secret of waiting for God: Psalm 62, verses 1 and 2, and then verses 5 and 6 (NASB 1995).
In verses 1 and 2, the psalmist says: “My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Then, in verses 5 and 6, he returns to similar language: “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.”
One important thing to see in those verses is that the word “only” occurs four times. Every time the psalmist speaks about “waiting for God,” he adds, “wait for God only.” He also speaks about “waiting in silence for God” or “being silent toward God.” In other words, it is focusing our total attention upon God. It is looking to Him and continuing to look to Him. Not taking hasty or unwise action; not yielding to our carnal pressures; but focusing our attention upon God, waiting in silence for Him . . . .
That is why the psalmist said, “Wait for God only.” He was saying to his own soul, “What you need can only come from God. There is no other source for what you need. It is in vain to turn in any other direction. You have to keep your heart and your mind focused on God by waiting for Him.”
Asking for His Help
We see from what Derek has said that facing a crisis in our own strength is a vain effort. You and I need the Lord’s intervention. Let’s ask Him for it together right now.
Dear Lord, You are well aware of the difficult circumstances I am facing at this moment. When I look at these overwhelming challenges, I am tempted to cry out in agony, to complain, and to give in to panic. Instead, Lord, as a confirmation of my complete faith in You, I am going to stay calm and stay quiet before You.
Rather than relying upon my own strength, I fix my gaze upon You, fully believing that You will fight this battle for me. Only Your supernatural power will bring the victory I need. I know You are with me, and I trust in You. Amen.
Interceding for You
What we have just prayed together is completely counter-intuitive to a “normal” human response to a dilemma or crisis. Even so, we have taken exactly the right step by placing our focus on the Lord and His strength. May He bring us a great victory!
Please feel free to contact us at DPM regarding any dilemma you may be facing. Our staff members are intercessors on your behalf, and it would be our great honor to stand with you in prayer and faith. As an additional help, we would also recommend the complete radio teaching from which we took Derek’s quote: “Waiting for God.” We know it will help to build your faith and composure, and it is yours with our compliments. Just use the download link below.
Providing Derek Prince materials to you is our pleasure—just one tangible way for us to express our thanks to you for your prayers and your support for the work of DPM.
Winning the Battle
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the midst of whatever you are facing right now. No one can guarantee outcomes in such situations. However, it is good to remind ourselves of what the Lord did in the biblical examples we cited in this letter.
In the crisis the Israelites faced, the Lord Himself fought the Egyptians on their behalf. Exodus 14:24–25 says, “Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled [confused] the army of the Egyptians. And He took off [bound] their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.’”
In the case of King Jehoshaphat, when he and his people were surrounded by the armies of three nations (a formidable threat, indeed), the Lord took charge of the battle. It says in 2 Chronicles 20:22: “Now when they began to sing and to praise [a counter-intuitive approach to warfare, for sure], the LORD set ambushes“ against their attackers. The result? “They were defeated.” God Himself fought for all of Judah—and He won.
Regardless of what you are facing, you have the sure promise that the Lord will fight for you. Our prescribed approach is to “station ourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” What must we do as we watch God work? Stay calm and quiet.
Sincerely in Christ,
Philip Wyns
President, DPM-USA
All the best,
Dick Leggatt
Executive Consultant/Senior Editor
