Standing Still: Trusting God’s Timing

Saturday Prayer & Praise of Arizona Campmeeting 2025

by Sis. Mary Roberts

Introduction: The Difficulty of Standing Still

In her inspiring message during the Saturday Prayer and Praise service at Arizona Campmeeting 2025, Sis Mary Roberts addressed the challenging spiritual practice of “standing still,” drawing insight from Exodus 14. She acknowledged the natural human urge to intervene quickly in distressing circumstances and explained how that impulse often leads believers away from God’s intended plan. Standing still, she said, is adopting a posture of expectancy—waiting calmly and attentively for God’s clear instructions.

Understanding God’s Command to Stand Still

Using Exodus 14:13-14, Sis Roberts showed how God instructed Israel—trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea—to remain calm and watch for His salvation. This command, she noted, is not passive resignation but active, confident trust in divine sovereignty. She warned against precipitancy and urged believers to rely on God’s perfect timing and power.

Lessons from the Israelites at the Red Sea

Roberts reminded the congregation that, despite witnessing God’s miracles in Egypt, the Israelites panicked when danger loomed. Their reaction mirrors modern believers who forget past faithfulness amid present trials. Yet God parted the sea, rescued His people, and destroyed their pursuers—an enduring reminder to trust His promises today.

Personal Applications and Practical Guidance

Sharing personal stories, Sis Roberts admitted the struggle to resist immediate intervention, especially with loved ones or major decisions. She urged believers to relinquish control, deepen prayer and Scripture study during waiting periods, and trust God’s methods and timing.

Standing Ready and Expectant

Standing still, Roberts concluded, is spiritually active: like soldiers at attention, believers stay vigilant, prayerful, and tuned to God’s voice—ready to move the instant He speaks. Though challenging, this discipline aligns believers with God’s best, enabling swift, obedient action when direction comes.

Reflective Questions

1. In which current situations do you struggle most to stand still and wait for God’s guidance?

2. How does recalling Israel’s Red Sea deliverance bolster your faith during trials?

3. Are you spiritually alert and attentive, or have you become passive while waiting?

4. What practices can you cultivate in waiting seasons to deepen trust and strengthen faith?

5. Can you recall times when patient waiting led to clear divine direction? How do these memories encourage you now?

Scripture Reference List

• Exodus 14:13-14 — Moses commands Israel to stand still and witness God’s salvation.

• Exodus 14:10-18 — Details the Israelites’ fear and God’s miraculous rescue, underscoring His power and reliability.