Don’t do something; just stand there! Am I advocating idleness and laziness? Not for a minute. We are to be busy about the Lord’s work, doing everything we do with excellence and making certain we are good stewards of our time and energy. But we must also learn this important biblical principle of standing still.

Samuel put it so well in his farewell speech when he said, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes. Not only is it important we stand still and stop trying to do God’s job, but also that we focus our eyes in expectancy on the Lord.

Where is your gaze focused today? On your problems? On the enemies you see all around you? On the tragedies and horrors you are imagining in your mind? If you keep your eyes focused on those things, you won’t be able to stand still. Remember, God is working while you’re standing still, even if you can’t see what he’s doing, and you usually can’t. Get your mind focused on the Lord, praise him ahead of time for what he’s going to do in your situation, and affirm to him again you trust him enough to stand still.

Are you allowing your thoughts to go haywire on you, thinking things that are not allowed? Remember Philippians 4:8: we are allowed to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and of a good report. When I start thinking about bad reports or unlovely things, then I want to go into action right away and solve the problem. Of course, the problem is I can’t solve the problem, and when I jump in ahead of God, I just make things so much worse.

Stand still, and while you’re standing still, keep your thoughts focused on the Lord, and expect him to do something great for you. Tell people you expect something great to happen. Be joyful and offer sacrifices of praise—praising God when you don’t see any reason to at the moment. If you will look for God’s response and get out of the way, he will do some great thing for you. It may not come in the package you’ve asked for, but believe me, it will come.

Faith pleases God, so when we by faith stand still and expect him to work on our behalf, we please him so much. Don’t do something; just stand there. Let God fight your battles for you. Yes, you must show up on the battlefield, but you don’t have to fight. He is your armor; he is your strong deliverer; he is your protection; he is your victory. Stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes. Claim 1 Samuel 12:16 as your own today and learn how to trust him while you’re standing still.