Recently, I asked my husband, Joe, to set up a new printer that I had bought for my home office computer. He started the task, but before he completed it, he left the room and went to do something else. As I sat there at my computer, I began saying things to myself like, “He doesn’t know how to hook up this new printer. Looks like I’ll have to do without a printer for a while.” Then, I got quiet in my spirit and began to pray that the Lord would intervene and help Joe to finish the job he started. Suddenly, I remembered some things that I had to do, and I got up and left my office. When I came back, my new printer was set up and working perfectly. When I went to thank my husband, he told me, “I was just waiting for you to get out of my way so that I could work!”

Later, the Lord showed me that He often feels the same way Joe does, when He wants to do a work in people’s lives and circumstances, but we keep getting in His way. Let’s face it, when we have a problem, or we long to see God working in our loved ones’ lives, we can get pretty impatient, and we can start trying to make something happen on our own. This almost never works because the Lord usually prefers accomplishing His work when we are inclined to trust Him and wait on Him. Many years ago, I heard a very wise man say that the main reason why Christians lose so many battles is that they try to fight them themselves, instead of relying on God. I have learned the hard way just how true this is.

When Moses and the Israelites desperately needed to be rescued from the clutches of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, Moses spoke for God when he gave them this solemn warning: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13, 14 NIV) Take special note of the “be still” part of these verses. Being still in the midst of trouble and turmoil can be very difficult, but many times it is the very thing that will open the door to the miraculous. One reason why God honors our stillness is that it honors Him. It shows that we are trusting Him to do what only He can do. The Message Bible translation of Exodus 14:14 reads, “GOD will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!” The Lord is prepared to work in your life and circumstances today. Are you prepared to be still, and to stay out of His way?

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times that I failed to trust You and wait on You, and I only made a bigger mess of things. Help me to clearly discern when you want me to act, and when you want me to be still. When I am in the midst of trouble and turmoil, remind me that You might not do anything, unless I stay out of Your way. Thank You that as I cooperate with Your plans and purposes, I will see You change hearts and lives!