Go Forward!

And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea." (Exodus 14:15-16 NKJ)


Sometimes we face difficult issues and situations. The obstacles we face are as real and daunting as the Red Sea was to the Tribes of Israel. It is decision time and we are unsure of our next move. We cannot go back, the enemy is on our heels. It is a huge challenge to cross the flooded sea before us. Oh for a miracle from God! If we've ever needed him we need him now. How we wish God would hurry up and deliver us.


Wringing our hands in panic doesn't help. Our eyes are tired and dry from our wailing before the Lord. Every prayer line from every church in the city has been notified. Every preacher we know has promised to pray. Yet, no deliverance. No miracle. What are we to do in such a dilemma?


Moses knew exactly what to do. He cried to the LORD and Jehovah replied. "Why are you crying out to me. Stop your panicky praying and act. Tell the people to go forward." I think that might have shook up Moses a little. It certainly seems to have gotten his attention. It is always proper to pray about our dilemmas and difficulties, yet there is a time to stop praying and act.


It would seem wise to apply God's command to Moses in our own lives when we are reduced to the narrow paths of difficult circumstances. When trouble comes, pray about it and act. When in a dilemma, pray about it and act. And God's always leads us to "go forward." He never says "turn back."


Charles Spurgeon wrote, "Despair whispers, 'Lie down and die; give it all up.' But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness." The easy path is always strewn with those who give up and quit.


Courage points us to victory not to retreat. Doubters and skeptics claim we can't make it "in the real world." The world claims we have to relinquish our principles and faith. Yet, our Lord and Savior encourages us to go forward from faith to faith. At the next level, you will be stronger than in the last.


Life may look like a flooded, impassable sea to you just now. Some may insist, "Do something. Right or wrong, take action. Others may cry, "Look at the sea and march straight ahead expecting a miracle."  But faith doesn't listen to urgency or arrogant presumption. Instead, faith listens to God who first says, "stand still and recognize God's deliverance," and then tells us when to "go forward." And in every case we are confident that God will make a dry path through the sea for us.


Dear Father, thank you for your guidance by the Holy Spirit. Lead me in the path of victory for only you know the way through the sea and I trust you to get me to the other side. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN


Trust the Lord and go forward!