Move On
Moses received clear instruction as God spoke to him from the burning bush:
"I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of
Egypt." (Exodus 3:10). Moses debated with God regarding his assignment and
pushed God to the limit of His patience: "The Lord's anger burned against
Moses." (Exodus 4:14).
But once he began to follow, Moses maintained a very close relationship
with God and was a first-hand witness to many miracles. God worked through
Moses to bring plagues against the Egyptians and to miraculously bring the
Israelites out of Egypt. As their journey into the desert began, Moses
witnessed more of God's power: "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a
pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire
to give them light." (Exodus 13:21).
As the Israelites approach the Red Sea, Pharaoh sent every chariot in Egypt
to bring the Israelites back. With no escape route in sight and the
Egyptian army closing in, Moses cried out to God.
Exodus 14:15-16
"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the
Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the
sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on
dry ground.'"
God had been in close communion with Moses. He had given His direction and
demonstrated His awesome power. Now at this moment of crisis, God expected
Moses to know what to do: "Why are you crying out to Me...move on."
We must always create time to "be still and know that He is God." (Psalm
46:10). But we cannot allow our waiting to make us immobile. "Whoever
watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not
reap." (Ecclesiastes 11:4). The conditions will never be perfect and we
will never feel fully prepared, but "if God is for us, who can be against
us?" (Romans 8:31).
There will always come a time when God expects us to demonstrate our faith
in what He has provided. Let's prepare for that time by drawing near and
learning to trust in HIS ability. Let's live with an active faith such
that when His direction is clear, we are able to move on.