p. 5 | Go Forward by J. M. Hopkins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 11, 1911

Go Forward

By J. M. Hopkins

J. M. HOPKINS

FORWARD should ever be the Christian soldier's watchword. For him there should be no such word as retreat. However hard the battle, however strong the forces of the enemy arrayed against the cause of truth, he should remember that “the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,” and the work is his. It is only and always for men and women to do the best they can, and then leave all results with the Lord.

There is a wonderfully encouraging lesson for God's remnant people in the first chapter of the book of Joshua. Israel was about to cross over Jordan. On the other side were mighty nations, with their cities securely enclosed in walls of solid masonry, which in that age of the world were considered impregnable. Such weapons of warfare as cannon for bombarding cities or demolishing their walls of defense were unknown and even unthought of at that time. Under such circumstances, to capture those strong and populous cities was a Herculean task. In their own strength, Israel could never have accomplished it. But Heaven had given the command; and when God says, “Go forward,” the only thing for man to do is to obey.

The four hundred thirty years of Israel's captivity and servitude in Egypt were over, and the time had come when the God of heaven would vindicate his power and his word by fulfilling his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and give to their posterity the land just over the Jordan from where they were encamped. So he said to Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

The presence of God with Joshua was his divine equipment for service. That is just as true of God's servants to-day as it was of Joshua. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” But the presence of God with Joshua and Israel depended upon their strict adherence and obedience to his command.

Another striking illustration of this truth is found in the case of King Asa: “And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: and he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. . . . Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chron. 15: 1-7.

God does not change. He is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” The same God who commanded Israel to cross over Jordan now commands his chosen remnant to walk humbly before him, and faithfully to obey his orders.

It is true that good judgment should always be exercised in the work of the

Lord; rashness and impetuosity are never pleasing to him. It is true, also, that there are times when it is necessary to wait for the openings of his providence. Such was the experience of Israel when encamped by the Red Sea. The country there is a mountainous waste. According to the description given by travelers who have visited that region, the encampment of Israel was in a ravine, with high, precipitous mountains on either side, while before them lay the waters of the Red Sea. They were hemmed in on all sides, with no way of escape, when Pharaoh, with his six hundred chariots, and his horsemen, and his army, overtook them.

But their utter helplessness was God's opportunity to reveal his love and power. As they complained against Moses, he “said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

That command of God did not mean a retreat. It meant to them, and the lesson is for all time, that there are times and occasions in the work of the Lord in the earth, when a pause, a standing still to learn just what the mind and will of God may be, is the wise and safe thing. It is never wise to rush blindly into any movement.

Not long did Israel have to wait. Soon came the command, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” Most wonderful is the record of that deliverance. To go forward was the only possible thing they could do, even though at that moment the way was not opened. God had spoken, “Go forward,” and obedience was their only means of deliverance, and in obedience came deliverance.

The case of ancient Israel and that of the remnant church is very similar. As the mountain walls enclosed Israel on either side, with the host of Pharaoh in the rear, so on the one hand the remnant church is opposed by the civil law requiring the worship of the beast and his image, while on the other hand await the seven last plagues for those who thus render that worship. To turn back means captivity to Satan and certain ruin. The only safe and wise course is to obey the command of God, and “go forward.” He will open a path through whatever waters of affliction may lie before us.

Then let our response to marching orders be, “I will go in the strength of the Lord God,” “looking unto Jesus.” There is no occasion for discouragement. This movement is of God; it can not fail. Every call for means and workers is a command, “Go forward.”

Then be of good courage in the Lord. Lay hold of his promises. Constantly seek that wisdom, that strength, that divine equipment for service, that we at all times need, and that he is at all times willing to give. “Be . . . filled with the Spirit.”

Hewitt, Minn.