Stand Still for a Miracle

Bible Reading: Exodus 14:10-13, 21-22; John 4:25-26

Ashlynn waited as her mother marked the back side of her angel’s dress with dressmaker pins and arranged the gold braids of fabric that wrapped around her waist and shoulders. Ashlynn was looking forward to the play, but she was tired of standing, so she wiggled and grabbed the skirt to see it flow around her legs.

“Stand still, Ashlynn. I may stick you with one of these pins if you move.”

Ashlynn stopped and sighed. “How much longer?”

Her mother smiled. “This reminds me of a story in the Bible when God told His people to stand still.”

“Really?” Ashlynn said. “God told people to stand still?”

“Yes. Do you remember the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt?”

Ashlynn’s eyes opened wide. “Oh yeah! God did a miracle. He made a place for His people to walk across a sea that was in their way. They walked to the other side on dry land.”

Mom nodded. “And who was chasing them?”

“I know! I know!” Ashlynn said. “Pharaoh and his soldiers.”

“That’s right. God said, ‘Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord,’ just before He made a path through the sea.”

“I bet they wiggled around a lot waiting for God to do His miracle,” Ashlynn said as Mom rechecked the hem of her dress.

“They probably did. Standing still is hard to do. The people in the Old Testament had to do a lot of waiting for the Messiah too. They knew God would send the Messiah He promised, but they didn’t know when He would come or how He would help them. Thanks to the New Testament, we know the Messiah is Jesus, and the miracle He performed was dying and rising again to save us from our sins so we could have eternal life with Him. We celebrate Jesus’ birth because it began the miracle of our salvation.”

Mom finished pinning and stepped back. “There. It’s done. Step out of the dress slowly so the pins won’t stick you.”

Ashlynn did as she was told. Then she jumped up and down. “I’m not sure I can stand still for the play. I want to start celebrating now!” – Bonnie Clarkson

How About You?

Have you ever been told to stand still when you were tired of waiting? The Israelites had to stand still and wait for God to save them from Pharaoh’s army, and they had to wait even longer for God to send His Son to save them from their sins. But for you, the wait is over! Trust Jesus as your Savior and have your sins forgiven today. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse:
Matthew 1:23 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”). (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Celebrate Jesus’ miracle of salvation