Exodus 14:14 says “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” This is, of course, Moses telling the Israelites that they don’t need to worry about defending themselves to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. He assures them that the LORD will fight for them and, get this…they just need to shut up! To be silent, to hold their peace, to be quiet…to literally say not a single word in defense of themselves. The word fight in this verse means to go to battle and destroy, to consume. God will go to battle for us…we just need to zip the lips and let HIM do the defending.

That wasn’t easy for the Israelites, and it’s not usually easy for us. It’s not human nature to step back and be silent when you’re mistreated or maligned. Who wouldn’t want to step up and defend themselves against slander, lies, and misrepresentation?! But Exodus 14:14 is pretty clear…those aren’t always our battles to take up. Many times, if we honestly and faithfully seek God in those situations, He will ask us to just be quiet and leave the rest to Him. It’s not easy, but the right thing isn’t usually easy. The more you practice pausing and seeking God before defending yourself, the easier it will become.

Take it from Moses…be quiet and let God go to battle for you!

-Jenn