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The Way Opens When We Advance by Faith, Nobember 10
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct
aright I will show the salvation of God.
Psalm 50:23
, NKJV.
All the inhabitants of heaven unite in praising God. Let us learn the song of the
angels now, that we may sing it when we join their shining ranks. Let us say with
the psalmist, “While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God
while I have any being” (
Psalm 146:2
). “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all
the people praise thee” (
Psalm 67:5
).
God in His providence brought the Hebrews into the mountain fastnesses before
the sea, that He might manifest His power in their deliverance and signally humble
the pride of their oppressors. He might have saved them in any other way, but He
chose this method in order to test their faith and strengthen their trust in Him. The
people were weary and terrified, yet if they had held back when Moses bade them
advance, God would never have opened the path for them.
It was “by faith” that “they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land” (
He-
brews 11:29
). In marching down to the very water, they showed that they believed
the word of God as spoken by Moses. They did all that was in their power to do,
and then the Mighty One of Israel divided the sea to make a path for their feet.
The great lesson here taught is for all time. Often the Christian life is 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, “Go
forward.” We should obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate
the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder
our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit.
Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there
remains no risk of failure or defeat will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, “Let
us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly”; but faith
courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.—
Patriarchs
and Prophets, 289, 290
.
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