Chapter 30—Marching Orders
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.
Exodus 14:15
.
The history of the children of Israel is written for the instruction and
admonition of all Christians. When the Israelites were overtaken by dangers
and difficulties, and their way seemed hedged up, their faith forsook them,
and they murmured against the leader whom God had appointed for them....
The divine command was: “Go forward.” They were not to wait until the
way was made plain, and they could comprehend the entire plan of their
deliverance. God’s cause is onward, and He will open a path before His
people....
There are times when the Christian life seems beset by dangers, and duty
seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before,
and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly above
all discouragements: “Go forward.” We should obey this command, let the
result be what it may, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness
and though we feel the cold waves about our feet....
Those who think it impossible for them to yield to the will of God and
have faith in His promises until all is made clear and plain before them, will
never yield at all. Faith is not certainty of knowledge; it “is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (
Hebrews 11:1
). To obey
the commandments of God is the only way to obtain His favor. “Go forward”
should be the Christian’s watchword.
Continual progress in knowledge and virtue is God’s purpose for us. His
law is the echo of His own voice, giving to all the invitation, “Come up
higher; be holy, holier still.” Every day we may advance in perfection of
Christian character.
Putting our trust in God, we are to move steadily forward, doing His work
with unselfishness, in humble dependence upon Him, committing to His
providence ourselves and all that concerns our present and future, holding
the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end, remembering that we
receive the blessings of heaven, not because of our worthiness, but because
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