DON'T HALT by Theodore L. Cuyler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 15, 1876

DON'T HALT.

By Theodore L. Cuyler

It is the first step that costs. When the Israelites came up to the Red Sea, the command of God was, “Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward.” But how? The Jewish leader might well cry out, “We have no fleet to bear us over. Go forward! But, Lord, we cannot ford the gulf before us. Go forward! Wouldst thou have us, Lord, to perish in the billows?” Still the answer comes, “Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward.” The command is peremptory. It admits of no delay. And just as soon as Israel goes forth in obedience to Jehovah’s voice, lo! the waves part asunder, and the mighty cavalcade marches through, dry-shod! Unhesitating obedience to God always insures a blessing.

Here is a lesson for halting inquirers. To you comes the command of God, “Go forward!” Death is behind you. Hell followeth hard after you. There is no salvation in retreat. Heaven lies before you, not behind. No man ever saved his soul by relapsing into indifference. If you give up you are lost.

1. Perhaps you say, “I have prayed many times already, and no blessing has yet come.” Will you cease to pray, then? Will that bring an answer? As well might a voyager to Liverpool, when one hundred miles from port, put about his helm, and steer back to New York; he is almost there; why does the foolish man retreat? How many a soul has quit praying when the door of mercy was just about opening. Go forward.

2. Another is kept back by fear of ridicule. He cannot stand a laugh. There is a sneer waiting for him at his father’s table, or a cutting sarcasm in his counting-room. He wavers before it. He winces under the slightest word, and imagines terrible things in store for himself. Go forward; the sea will open unto you, and so will many a heart, to cheer you on. You will inspire respect in the very quarters from which you now expect opposition. He is a weakling who is pushed back with a straw.

3. A person complains, “I am in the dark; I cannot see my way.” Then go forward, and get out of the dark. The determination to do your duty will be attended by a luminous discernment of the path of duty. God will show you the way; only go forward, looking for the cross.

4. Unbelief draws back a fourth. There is only one way to conquer doubt. It is to believe. Then, instead of halting and shivering in an ague fit of indecision, take a bold, decisive step. End the torturing uncertainty by going forward, “looking unto Jesus.”

The only way to do a thing is to do it. God gives strength to the obedient. He has no promise for cowards, or double-minded, vacillating doubters. He bestows grace on those who try to do their duty. His grace is all-sufficient for you. The deepest sea of difficulties will divide its waters for your advancing footsteps just so soon as you determine to obey that voice which says to you, Go forward. The moment of ruin to Lot’s wife was the moment in which she halted. A steady pushing on toward Zoar would have saved her life. As soon as an awakened soul stops to parley with temptation, or to cavil at some Bible doctrine, or for any other reason, the Spirit of God is grieved. The great majority of unconverted persons in our congregations have—at some time in their lives—been under serious convictions, and halted. Death will not halt. Time halts not one instant. Dear friend, if you halt one step this side of Jesus, you must perish outside of Heaven’s gate. Don’t halt! or else the same bell which now rings for you a glad invitation will toll the knell of your lost soul.—Theodore L. Cuyler.