Be Still–But Move

Get Moving.

Sometimes the instructions we seek in the Bible can be confusing.

In Exodus 14:13-14, Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. . . The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

But then, in verse 15, the very next verse, the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!” It’s when we move forward in faith we see the power of God. Moses raised his staff. As the people moved, God opened the sea before them.

When something in the Bible looks like a contradiction, the Bible is not in error. The lack is in our understanding. The more we study and interpret Scripture according to other Scripture, the clearer it becomes. All Scripture is given to us by God to teach and correct us, but the application to our lives requires discernment. The Holy Spirit is our teacher.

Plenty of verses tell us to be still. Be still and know that I am God, Psalm 46:10. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you, James 4:7. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act, Psalm 37:7.

Verses that tell us to get moving also abound, as in Deuteronomy 2:13 & 24 for example.

In another instance, when Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land, he told them they would know the living God was among them (Joshua 5:10). The Ark would lead the people across. The river overflowed its banks. The priests who carried the Ark had to believe God would do what He said, and step into the water before it receded. As soon as the feet of the priests touched the water at the river’s edge, the water upstream began backing up. The water downstream flowed on until the riverbed was dry. Then the people crossed over (Joshua 5:11-16).

Another time, Joshua and his army experienced a great defeat at Ai. Joshua and some of Israel’s elders bowed down in prayer. They asked God what He was doing. Why did He bring them across the Jordan if He was going to let their enemies kill them? How would that honor God’s name?

God said, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this?” It turns out there was sin in the camp, and Joshua needed to deal with it (Joshua 7:6-12).

We are to stand firm in our faith. But then we are to act on our faith. Ecclesiastes reminds us there is a time for everything. There is a time to be still, to pray and meditate; to learn the character of God. We read His Word to know how He wants us to live. Then we are to act on what we know. What we do gives evidence of our faith.

God places desires within us to move us to fulfill His purposes. He raises opportunities. It is up to us to walk through the doors He places in front of us. Are we reluctant to take the next step, whatever that is? Do obstacles in our path keep us from trying?

Praying for guidance is always appropriate. Asking for wisdom is essential. God gives good advice. He gives direction. All wisdom comes from God. Only by His Spirit can we determine the right course. Only in Him can we find the strength and courage to move forward when the way is difficult. God is faithful in all of it. He wants us to succeed.

If He called us to do something, let us be faithful to do it, and use it for His glory.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.                                       1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT

How do you respond when God says, “Get moving?” Please leave a comment below.

Blessings,
Phyllis

© 2026 Phyllis L. Farringer

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay