Bec's Blog

Blog Post by Pastor Bec

May/June 2026

At first there was great joy and jubilation at being set free! (How appropriate I’m typing this on Juneteenth – a day of celebrating freedom from slavery.)

After over 400 years, the Israelites were no longer slaves! They were free! (This true story occurs in Exodus 14.) They had eaten their Passover meals, had their belongings packed, and were ready to go when the word was given! Almost 4,000 years later, Passover is still celebrated as a special meal and time to remember God hearing the cries of His people, and setting them free. He is still setting people free.

 It’s estimated there were a million people on that journey. (600,000 men in addition to women and children.) There were also large droves of livestock. The travel was not swift. God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The men were armed for battle.

 By the day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud, and by night a pillar of fire. God gave the Hebrews a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire so they would know, day and night, that God was with them. This was a scary journey for them towards the unknown. They left everything they had ever known behind. For good. No turning back.

 But then, Pharaoh changed his mind about letting them go! He realized he just lost all his free labor. So he sent his fearsome war chariots after them! Six hundred state-of-the-art chariots, (the equivalent of today’s military tanks), with two soldiers each, bore down on the helpless Israelites! They were trapped between the mountain and the sea.

 Can you imagine how they felt?! Talk about feeling out of control! Trapped against the sea, they faced the Egyptian army sweeping in for the kill.

They thought they were surely doomed. They had dry mouths and pounding hearts. There was probably some screaming, wailing, and gnashing of teeth too! They were terrified and cried out to the Lord, and to Moses.

 Moses answered the people with these words, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” (How did he know?! He trusted God implicitly!) “The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

 Can you imagine?! You’re terrified for your life, trapped between the sea and the desert there are ferocious warriors bearing down on you, and your leader tells you to…be still?!?! Are you kidding me?!

Personally, I have a tendency to want to run, when things are uncomfortable. To turn away. Not to, instead, still myself and face whatever is coming with calm and total assurance that God has this. And, yet, as we grow in our spiritual lives with Christ, we begin to learn to do this. To be still. To make time and take time to center ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit, and simply, be still.

 It’s one of God’s gifts, and spiritual exercises, (which, like any exercise, strengthens us the more we practice it). Later on, some worship leaders called the Sons of Korah, would write words which live on forever: “God is our Refuge and Strength, an ever-present help in trouble… Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:1,10)

 There it is again. Be still. A command. Something that, when we choose to do it, yields results. Every time.

 For the Israelites in the Exodus scene, it brought about a miraculous parting of the Red Sea and they were able to escape on a dry-ish seabed to the other side. Once they passed, the Egyptian army, which followed hard on their heels, was drowned by the sea of water on either side, which came crashing down over them.

 In Psalm 46, we’re invited to experience the intimacy which comes by knowing God. This is what brings us peace. And strength. And wisdom.

 In the New Testament, Jesus extends this invitation: “Come with Me, by yourselves to a quiet place, and get some rest.” He is essentially inviting us to stillness and solitude. To take a deep breath, quiet our racing minds, (yes, “endless chattering monkeys,”), and spend some quiet time with Him. In His Presence.

 The prophet Isaiah told God’s people “Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.” (30:15 NLT)

 Paul also said it is in our weakness that God’s strength is made perfect. (2 Cor. 12:10)

 In other words, beloved, stop your striving. Quit trying to control everything and everyone. (Note to self.) Just relax. Take a deep breath. And carve out some time to sit quietly in God’s Presence. His Word tells us that if we seek Him, with all of our hearts, we will find Him. (Jerry 29:13) And yes, be still. You can do it!

Take some time this coming week and practice. Then do it again. See if it doesn’t quiet your soul, fill you with His peace, and put a stop to whatever is pursuing you.

(Worry, anxiety, hopelessness, etc.)

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”