Corporate Faith
Standing Still vs. Moving Forward: Lessons in Corporate Faith from the Red Sea and Jericho
Faith isn't just an individual journey—it's also about what happens when believers come together and trust God as a community. The stories of the Israelites at the Red Sea and the walls of Jericho show us powerful examples of corporate faith in action.
What Does It Mean to "Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord"?
When the Israelites found themselves trapped between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, Moses gave them an incredible command: "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Picture the scene—over 500,000 people with mountains on both sides, warriors with chariots behind them, and a massive sea in front of them. There was literally nowhere to go.
Why Standing Still Is So Difficult
Standing still might be one of the hardest things we'll ever do as believers. We're always in a hurry, always trying to make our own plans when God doesn't give us one immediately. We dramatize situations and feel like our world is about to end, making mountains out of molehills.
But God had given the Israelites everything they needed to stand—just like He gives us spiritual armor to stand firm. The problem isn't that we lack what we need; it's that standing still requires trusting someone we can't physically see.
The Miracle of Dry Ground
When God parted the Red Sea, He didn't just create a path through water—He created dry land. Not muddy, rocky, difficult terrain, but actual dry ground for over half a million people to cross safely. The sea stood up "heap on heap," creating walls of water on both sides.
This wasn't just about getting across water. It was about God providing exactly what His people needed when they trusted Him enough to stand still and wait for His salvation.
How Does Faith Lead to Action? The March Around Jericho
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites faced another impossible situation—the massive walled city of Jericho. But this time, instead of standing still, God told them to march around the city thirteen times over seven days.
When God's Instructions Don't Make Sense
Walking around a city doesn't typically cause walls to fall down. The instructions probably seemed just as crazy to the Israelites as they do to us. But here's the key: it wasn't about what they were doing—it was about who they were obeying.
The same people who had witnessed what happened to those who disobeyed God in the wilderness were now ready to follow instructions that didn't make logical sense. Sometimes watching the consequences of disobedience helps us choose obedience.
Why Doesn't God Solve Problems the Same Way Twice?
We often want God to perform miracles the same way every time. "God, you did it this way before—can you just do it this way again?" But God doesn't work that way. He solves every problem differently, keeping us dependent on Him rather than on familiar patterns.
The Danger of Seeking Comfort Over Faith
We like to be comfortable. We want God to keep surprises to a minimum and maintain the status quo. But faith that produces lasting good works doesn't require comfortable circumstances to stay the course. Our faith should be in Christ regardless of how He chooses to move—or not move.
What Is Corporate Faith and Why Does It Matter?
While much of Hebrews 11 focuses on individual faith—Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob—the stories of the Red Sea and Jericho show us corporate faith in action. This is what happens when individual believers come together and trust God as a unified body.
The Power of "They" Faith
Jesus said that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. But the mountains He's talking about aren't physical—they're our mountains of rebellion, doubt, and fear. If one person's mustard seed faith can move a mountain, imagine what could happen when believers come together in unified faith.
Dealing with Doubters in the Group
Even among the Israelites, there were people who struggled with fear and doubt. There will always be some folks who wrestle with faith, who struggle with worry or fear. The key is not letting their lack of faith become your mountain. Don't let it discourage, distract, or dissuade you from trusting God.
How Do We Know When to Stand Still vs. When to Move?
The answer isn't found in the circumstances—it's found in God's Word. Whether we're called to stand still like at the Red Sea or march forward like at Jericho, our response should be based on what God has told us to do, not on what feels comfortable or familiar.
Sometimes God says stand still and watch Him work. Sometimes He says move forward in obedience. The key is staying focused on Jesus individually and then coming together as a unified body when God calls us to corporate action.
Life Application
This week, identify one area of your life where you're trying to solve a problem in your own strength instead of trusting God. Are you running from the problem or trying to fight it on your own? Practice "standing still" by bringing that situation to God in prayer and waiting for His direction rather than rushing ahead with your own plan.
Ask yourself these questions:
Remember, faith isn't about what you can do—it's about trusting the One who can do the impossible, whether He asks you to stand still or march forward.
Faith isn't just an individual journey—it's also about what happens when believers come together and trust God as a community. The stories of the Israelites at the Red Sea and the walls of Jericho show us powerful examples of corporate faith in action.
What Does It Mean to "Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord"?
When the Israelites found themselves trapped between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, Moses gave them an incredible command: "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Picture the scene—over 500,000 people with mountains on both sides, warriors with chariots behind them, and a massive sea in front of them. There was literally nowhere to go.
Why Standing Still Is So Difficult
Standing still might be one of the hardest things we'll ever do as believers. We're always in a hurry, always trying to make our own plans when God doesn't give us one immediately. We dramatize situations and feel like our world is about to end, making mountains out of molehills.
But God had given the Israelites everything they needed to stand—just like He gives us spiritual armor to stand firm. The problem isn't that we lack what we need; it's that standing still requires trusting someone we can't physically see.
The Miracle of Dry Ground
When God parted the Red Sea, He didn't just create a path through water—He created dry land. Not muddy, rocky, difficult terrain, but actual dry ground for over half a million people to cross safely. The sea stood up "heap on heap," creating walls of water on both sides.
This wasn't just about getting across water. It was about God providing exactly what His people needed when they trusted Him enough to stand still and wait for His salvation.
How Does Faith Lead to Action? The March Around Jericho
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites faced another impossible situation—the massive walled city of Jericho. But this time, instead of standing still, God told them to march around the city thirteen times over seven days.
When God's Instructions Don't Make Sense
Walking around a city doesn't typically cause walls to fall down. The instructions probably seemed just as crazy to the Israelites as they do to us. But here's the key: it wasn't about what they were doing—it was about who they were obeying.
The same people who had witnessed what happened to those who disobeyed God in the wilderness were now ready to follow instructions that didn't make logical sense. Sometimes watching the consequences of disobedience helps us choose obedience.
Why Doesn't God Solve Problems the Same Way Twice?
We often want God to perform miracles the same way every time. "God, you did it this way before—can you just do it this way again?" But God doesn't work that way. He solves every problem differently, keeping us dependent on Him rather than on familiar patterns.
The Danger of Seeking Comfort Over Faith
We like to be comfortable. We want God to keep surprises to a minimum and maintain the status quo. But faith that produces lasting good works doesn't require comfortable circumstances to stay the course. Our faith should be in Christ regardless of how He chooses to move—or not move.
What Is Corporate Faith and Why Does It Matter?
While much of Hebrews 11 focuses on individual faith—Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob—the stories of the Red Sea and Jericho show us corporate faith in action. This is what happens when individual believers come together and trust God as a unified body.
The Power of "They" Faith
Jesus said that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. But the mountains He's talking about aren't physical—they're our mountains of rebellion, doubt, and fear. If one person's mustard seed faith can move a mountain, imagine what could happen when believers come together in unified faith.
Dealing with Doubters in the Group
Even among the Israelites, there were people who struggled with fear and doubt. There will always be some folks who wrestle with faith, who struggle with worry or fear. The key is not letting their lack of faith become your mountain. Don't let it discourage, distract, or dissuade you from trusting God.
How Do We Know When to Stand Still vs. When to Move?
The answer isn't found in the circumstances—it's found in God's Word. Whether we're called to stand still like at the Red Sea or march forward like at Jericho, our response should be based on what God has told us to do, not on what feels comfortable or familiar.
Sometimes God says stand still and watch Him work. Sometimes He says move forward in obedience. The key is staying focused on Jesus individually and then coming together as a unified body when God calls us to corporate action.
Life Application
This week, identify one area of your life where you're trying to solve a problem in your own strength instead of trusting God. Are you running from the problem or trying to fight it on your own? Practice "standing still" by bringing that situation to God in prayer and waiting for His direction rather than rushing ahead with your own plan.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I trusting God enough to stand still when He asks me to wait?
- Do I seek comfort over faith, wanting God to work the same way He has before?
- How can I contribute to corporate faith in my church community rather than just focusing on my individual walk?
- What "mountains" of rebellion, doubt, or fear do I need God to move in my life?
Remember, faith isn't about what you can do—it's about trusting the One who can do the impossible, whether He asks you to stand still or march forward.
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