Take A Deep Breath And Stay Calm

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago about the devotional book my church has been reading.  Another day the title of the reading was The Holy Spirit Works Supernaturally.  I’m going to talk about a few of the things he mentioned about showing how the people needed to just do their natural thing, or follow His directions and then the supernatural took over.  

In Exodus 14, the Israelites have reached the Red Sea in their journey.  So far, all has gone well.  But then they look up and there is this huge army of 600 Egyptian chariots and soldiers approaching them.  Verse 10 (ERV) says:  “When the Israelites saw Pharaoh and his army coming toward them, they were very frightened and cried to the Lord for help.”  I don’t blame them, do you?  But then Moses in verses 13-14 (ERV) says:  “…’Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again. You will not have to do anything but stay calm. The Lord will do the fighting for you.’” 

I realized when I was reading this passage that Moses spoke those words before he had his little chat with God about what to do.  So he was speaking in faith, believing God had everything under control regardless of what he was seeing in the natural.  Then God instructed him to have the people start moving toward the sea and that he was to take his staff and hold it up over the water and watch the waters split.  The people had to do their natural thing – walk.  Moses had to do a simple thing – hold out his staff over the water.  THEN, God did the supernatural.  You know the rest – the sea split, the winds blew and dried out the land, the Israelites crossed over.  Then Moses raised his staff over the waters again and they rushed back, drowning all the Egyptians.

This passage says to me that we need to think in faith, speak in faith, act in faith – then watch what God can do.

Another story comes from Exodus 17.  The Israelites were still on their journey to their promised land when they were attacked by the Amalekites.  Verse 8 (ERV) says: “So Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose some men and go and fight the Amalekites tomorrow. I will stand on the top of the hill and watch you. I will be holding the walking stick God gave me.’”  Strangely, as long as Moses held up the stick the Israelites would be winning, but if Moses put his hand down they started losing.  Since his arms were getting tired Aaron and Hur that were with him held up his arms until the battle was won.  Moses did the “natural” thing – God did the supernatural.

This passage says to me that there will be times that we will need others to come alongside us and help us do the natural thing – the thing that sometimes seems very strange; BUT, God always still does His part.

After the Israelites had reached their promised land they approached Jericho where the city gates were closed up tight because the people were afraid of them.  Then the Lord told Joshua that he was going to let them defeat the city of Jericho – giving him instructions for the Israelites to march around the city – in silence, every day for the next six days.  Now how silly do you think the people felt doing that?  Strange!  Then, on the 7th day they were to march around the city 7 times with the soldiers carrying weapons in the lead, followed by the priests blowing  their trumpets.  At the end of the 7th trip they were to make a loud noise with the trumpets and then the people were supposed to let out a huge shout.  That’s exactly what they did – the very strange, but natural thing – calmly walking, listening to the trumpets being blown.  But when they let out that shout, the supernatural happened – the walls fell and they immediately broached the city and destroyed it.  The way Mr. Kendall (the author of the book) put it was “They did the easy part; God did the rest.”

This passage reminds me that the solution to a problem is not always difficult.  If we listen for God’s instructions and just follow them, regardless of how easy they seem to be, He will do His part.

Another story Mr. Kendall referenced that I love, is in 2 Chronicles 10.  At this time Jehoshaphat was the leader of the Israelites and he received word that a very large army was headed toward them.  It was an army from some peoples that the Israelites had not bothered when they entered the promised land.  They were now disturbed that this was how those people were going to “repay” them.  Verses 11-12 (ERV) say:  “‘But see the kind of reward those people give us for not destroying them. They have come to force us out of your land that you gave to us. Our God, punish those people. We don’t have the strength to stop this large army that is coming against us. We don’t know what to do! We are looking to you for help.’”

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel…”  “Jahaziel said, “Listen to me King Jehoshaphat and everyone living in Judah and Jerusalem! The Lord says this to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or worry about this large army, because the battle is not your battle. It is God’s battle!’” “‘You will not have to fight this battle. Just stand there and watch the Lord save you. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid. Don’t worry, because the Lord is with you. So go out to stand against those people tomorrow.’”(verses 14a & 15 & 17 ERV) 

Early the next morning the Israelite army set out with the temple singers in front of the army singing praises.  Verses 22 & 23 tell how when they began to sing God set an ambush for the enemies.  Two of the groups turned on the third group and killed them, then turned on one another.  When the Israelites arrived at the lookout point there was nothing but dead bodies.  They did the easy part – fasted, prayed then marched out with singers singing praises to God.  Then God did the supernatural – had the enemy destroy themselves.

This story reminds me that when I have battles to face I should consider fasting, definitely pray, take a deep breath and stay calm.  Do my part as led by God, even if it seems strange or silly.  Then just wait for the supernatural to happen.  I need to always remember – the battle is not mine, it is God’s!

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.”  Proverbs 3:5-6 (ERV)

Mr. Kendall ended this day’s reading with these words:  “We do our part – might and power, operating at the natural level.  God does His part – by the Holy Spirit, doing the supernatural.  How foolish we are to argue with His ways.”    

Written by Karran Martin – October 7, 2023

[All bold emphasis is mine]