By Charles Wages
Someone has aptly said, “The stops of a good man are ordered of the Lord as well as his steps.” Speed has become a compulsive way of life for most of us. Some have become completely obsessed by speeding automobiles, motorcycles, planes, and every means of transportation. There are those who will wait in line for up to two weeks at a raceway to watch automobiles travel in excess of 150 miles per hour! Doctors are telling us to “slow down,” policemen are saying “slow down,” and above all the Lord is saying “stand still.”
When God was delivering the people of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, they were in a hurry to escape Pharaoh’s horsemen and chariots. However, Moses was led of the Lord to say to them,
“Fear ye not, stand still (stop) and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see no more forever.” (Exo. 14:13)
Speed blurs the vision. The salvation of God is so beautiful and important that a person really needs to not only slow down, but completely stop everything else and “Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). The Lord Jesus on Calvary needs more than a fleeting glance. The majesty of His person (God) and the magnitude of His work (Redemption) demands that humankind take the complete look of eternity. The children sing a little chorus which says, “Stop and let me tell you what the Lord has done for me.”
Luke, chapter 2, tells of the old man Simeon who was “waiting for the consolation (hope) of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.” This man was willing to wait patiently for the salvation of God. Luke 2:29-30 records his words:
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”
It is true that we do not have long to do God’s work here upon earth. There is an urgency that borders upon an emergency. However, there is so much in “religion” that is done without proper thought or preparation. Songs and sermons are so shallow today. God doesn’t want us to treat His Word lightly or to reason on the run. Samuel of old told the people,
“It is the Lord that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore, stand still (stop), that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which he did to you and your fathers.” (1 Sam. 12:6-7)
When a person “stands still,” he is able to look in all directions, especially up. The Old Testament prophets told the people to “lift up their heads, and look unto the Lord.” The Psalmist wrote:
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
Isaiah, with the solemn warning of the end times in view, said:
“Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner; but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.” (Isa. 51:6)
We need to stop and seriously consider “the righteous acts of the Lord,” to fully appreciate that, “his salvation shall be forever,” and “his righteousness shall not be abolished.”
We should ask ourselves, just “what is our hurry?” Do we take time to put aside all the trivial things we consider so important? Are we obsessed with speed? What will be at the end of our fast journey through life?
If you are not a Christian, if you have never really received Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, please stop and look to the Lord Jesus for eternal salvation and life. He died on the cross for your redemption. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
