Go Forward

“As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD. Then they said to Moses, ‘Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, “Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians”? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.’

But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.’ Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.’” Exodus 14:10-16

The wise man Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is an appointed time for everything...” Though not included in the list of appropriate seasons that followed, this principle rings just as a true: “There is a time to wait - and a time to act.” How do we see the difference? When do we hover over the situation, and when do we launch out?

There are two conditions involved in determining the latter course. If we have done everything we know to discern God’s leadership - diligent in prayer, common-sense fact-gathering, searching the Word, obtaining good counsel, total submission to Jesus’ lordship - and if a decision must be made now, then it is time to thrust forward.

If we want to please God sincerely, we must not worry about the consequences of our decisions. If it is the wrong decision, then He will forgive us and steer us rightly. But when a course must be charted, our confidence, faith, and courage are fully cast on the God Who knows the future and has secured our relationship with Him. Wait on God when you can, but act boldly in faith when you must - entrusting yourself to a faithful God.

“Be strong and courageous!... for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9