Men have never been busier. Society has never been faster. Means of communication, means of transport, the preparation of food are all being achieved as fast as modern technology will permit. This new technology was supposed to lead to more leisure time, more family time, in all, a more relaxed way of life. Instead we have to work as fast as the machines with the resultant stress leading to physical, mental and emotional breakdowns.
What is the answer? The nation of Israel was in great difficulty and they turned to Egypt for help, Isa.30. They were scurrying hither and thither seeking to effect their own deliverance, but the comment of the LORD is very clear, concise and so blessed. V7, “Their strength is to sit still.” What a conundrum to the modern mind. We must work it out, we must plan, plot, scheme, we cannot just sit still. The Lord’s advice is all so unnatural.
The word “strength” is also translated “Rahab”, which is one of the names of Egypt — see Ps.87.4 and Isa.51.9. The LORD seems to say, “you want Egypt to help? Well your Egypt is just to ‘sit still’.”
How difficult it is for us, who are almost trapped in a whirlpool of ceaseless activity, to get the time and the place to “sit still.” We need to extricate ourselves from the endless round of activity and the increasing pressures placed upon us and spend time in His presence sitting still.
When David’s heart was overwhelmed at the promises of God’s goodness to him and his seed, we read, “Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD ...” 2Sam.7.18. We too, have great promises from the Lord regarding our future and the glorious future of the great family of God into which we have been brought. These promises include the security of our sins forgiven; the sight of the Saviour when He comes; the splendour of heaven for eternity; the song of the redeemed — the list is endless. These promises and multitudes more, should bring us into His presence just to “sit still.”
When bereavement was breaking the hearts of Martha and Mary, they heard the Lord was coming and then it is recorded, “Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary sat still in the house,” Jn.11.20. While this primarily means that she remained yet in the house, let us lift the principle that in times of difficulty, tears and disappointment, our “strength is to sit still.”
In Zech.1.11 the report is given, “behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest.” Again this has a direct meaning for that time, but there is a day coming when this shall be verily true. When the King is on His throne and has His rightful place of universal dominion then, all the earth shall sit still and be at rest. Every enemy shall have been defeated; Satan will have been incarcerated and, as the Psalmist records, Ps.145.10-13, “Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.” What a glorious day that will be and we anticipate it with great joy.
However what about the period between? We wait for Him to call us away before the days of dreadful tribulation, which will shortly come upon this godless world, and we can say, “Even so come Lord Jesus.” In the meanwhile we hear Naomi speaking to Ruth, 3.18, “Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.” There has been a lovely progression through the book that charts the history of every believing soul. We are taken from Wandering to a Wedding; from Moab to a Marriage: from the foulness of Sinnership to the fulness of Sonship and until this climax is reached we are to, “sit still.”
T.D.W. Muir wrote the words:
O, child of God, thy lot may be
Oft mixed with trial, grief and pain;
Look up! He’ll surely come for thee,
He says, “I quickly come again.”
Let us learn the lesson that gives the flesh no room for activity.
“Their strength is to sit still.”