All sorts of exercise programs flood the market today. Exercise has become so popular that some people have seriously damaged their health overdoing it. But I have an exercise that I would like you to try for your spiritual health. An exercise that will make you strong to gain the victory!

Are you ready? I want you to stand still and go forward at the same time!

The Lord assigned this particular exercise to the Israelites right at the beginning of their trip to the Promised Land. You can read about it in Exodus 14:13-15. They were at the banks of the Red Sea, closed in by mountains on either side, and the enemy was coming rapidly from behind. Just when they were about to panic completely, the Lord sent a message through Moses.

“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”

There you have it, a Bible endorsed exercise program! Stand still and go forward. That’s all there is to it.

Is it possible to stand still and go forward at the same time? Well, you have probably done it before! Have you ever stood on a bus or train or airplane, while it was going forward? Did you stand still? Most people realize the futility of jogging up and down the aisles of a bus or plane while it is in motion.

Not only is it wasted effort, but you are likely to lose your balance and fall down! So you just stand still. But at the same time, you are going forward–and not only that, but you are going forward at a much greater speed than if you got off the vehicle and tried to run in your own strength.

How were the people of Israel to stand still and go forward at the same time? They were to stand still as far as fighting the enemy was concerned–but they were to go forward in faith! It’s the difference between the fight of faith and the fight of sin. God invites us to become involved in the fight of faith. He warns us against becoming involved in the fight of sin.

The fight of faith is the struggle to set aside that thoughtful time each day for prayer and study of the life of Christ, for communication with Him. The fight of sin is the struggle to overcome temptations and sins, to war against the devil and his powers. If we try to fight the fight of sin, we’re finished right at the beginning. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that

“we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

If we aren’t even fighting flesh and blood, then how can we fight? How do you fight a spirit? There’s only one way. You would have to engage the help of another Spirit to fight your battle for you.

And this is what God has promised to do for us.

“Man is not able to save himself, but the Son of God fights his battles for him and places him on vantage ground by giving him his divine attributes.” – Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, February 8, 1898.

It’s true that Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God– which looks as though there’s going to be a fight! But if you examine the armor described in Ephesians 6:11-18, it is armor for a standing war.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places . Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

In fact, that’s what it says repeatedly.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand.”

“Having done all, to stand.”

“Stand therefore.”

Notice that every item of the armor of God that we are to put on has to do with a faith relationship with God, or the fight of faith. It is for defense–not armor for attack. The various pieces represent truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, prayer, and the Word of God. The person who is thus equipped will be ready to stand still in trying to fight the enemy–but to go forward in a relationship of faith and trust in God.

Don’t try to go forward unless you are standing still–you will be sure to fall! Don’t try to stand still without going forward–or you will have only a passive religion that will soon go sour. Stand still and go forward. It’s the only way to victory!