Going Forward by A. M. Lindsley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 26, 1873

Going Forward.

By A. M. Lindsley

THE inward working of the Spirit of God upon our hearts will lead us to a consecration of soul in keeping with the great truths we profess to believe. The necessity existing for a closer walk with God should impel us onward to seek him zealously. We want the continual evidence that our ways please him. That we possess the theory of the truth, is no particular sign that we are in favor with God, unless it is vitalized by his Spirit, and reduced to practice in our daily associations with each other and the world. We are living in a period when these solemn truths are being proclaimed, and that they have reached us perhaps a little sooner than others, should be a matter of thanksgiving, that we may be the better able to prepare ourselves for the work before us. In becoming cognizant of these facts, we incur great and solemn responsibilities. God's true and loyal people will be ready to take advance steps when the way is clearly pointed out, without long conferring with flesh and blood. If we are in possession of the spirit of the truth, it will urge us out to make no tarrying, for this is not our place of rest.

As the command to ancient Israel at the shore of the Red Sea was, that they “go forward,” so the cry goes out through the ranks of the remnant to move out in the order of his providence, as soon as the light is revealed on their pathway. As we look back to the history of God's ancient people, and see how they were led, and the means that were used to unite and make them a separate and peculiar people, we can see the care God has for those who will follow him, and the jealousy with which he guards his own honor. And although he does not now speak with his people by an audible voice, and lead them by a cloud and pillar of fire, yet the pathway before us may be just as clearly discerned as when he brought them to the borders of the sea, and bade them, Go forward. Those who have confidence in God and in the message will be able, as the feet of the priests that bear the ark touch the brim of the waters, to follow on and find themselves on a permanent foundation, even, perhaps, while on all sides stand the raging waters of the deep. God wants us to have a living, daily testimony for the truth, that will keep alive our own energies and shed an influence in the right direction, showing that we do believe what we profess, and are making advancement in our journey. The Lord is as jealous for his glory now as ever. He is leading his people by a way they may not hitherto have known. They may never in the past have been called to make the sacrifices that now seem so necessary for the upbuilding of the cause, and carrying out this work. From the first, it has been a moving out by faith. God laid the burden then on a few chosen ones that he could use to his glory, to venture out as pioneers to prepare the way, until in his providence he should raise up others to unite their voices with them in swelling the cry. The emissaries of Satan have many times tried to hinder their labors and bring their work to naught; but God has had a care for his own cause, and has stood by it and sustained it so that it has reached a more prosperous condition. He has raised up friends, and we expect he will continue to do so, that will step out by faith on what, to all human appearance, might seem to be an impassable way, as for the children of Israel to enter the sea.

God chose Moses, the meekest man upon the earth, to lead his people out of Egypt, and wrought great things by him; yet the stiffnecked, unbelieving Israelites found abundance of fault with him. “Wherefore,” said they, “hast thou dealt thus with us to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in this wilderness.” But Moses tried to encourage them to still trust in the Lord. He had a stronger faith. He believed God was able to deliver them from their enemies; for he had told Moses that he would be honored upon Pharaoh. His strong heart quailed not, but said he to the faint-hearted company, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show 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.”

Perhaps Moses had repeated to the Lord the murmurings of the people, and chidingly he says to him, “Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward.” Even yet, Moses may be in ignorance of how they are to accomplish such a feat; but the Lord has not left them, and he continues to instruct him, “but lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the sea, and divide it, and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea,” &c. Here is an act of faith and obedience for Moses to perform, and, filled with confidence that God will do as he promised, he obeys, and the waters divide according to the word of the Lord, and the people pass on safely, while their enemies are confounded and destroyed. God has vindicated his word, cared for his people, swallowed up the Egyptians, and gotten himself honor. Its history has been carefully preserved and brought down to our time for our learning. Shall we be so far benefited and instructed by it that we may not be as faint-hearted and rebellious as they were, after God had so signally displayed his power and led them in great measure by the senses, and could not finally bring them into the promised land because of their unbelief?

Is it not as plain to the eye of faith that God is leading out a people from this dark world, that will finally share in the glorious deliverance that is just before us, as that he led the first house of Israel? And does not faith as fully grasp the fact, that perfect obedience is required in following out the openings of his providence in spreading our message? Sacrifices may be required at our hands to forward this work that will call for a large share of faith; but we should remember that this is the victory that overcometh, even our faith. God will be pleased, and will by-and-by shed on his waiting people the riches and blessing of his full salvation.

It is with joy that I read in the REVIEW the tokens of God's commandment-keeping people getting nearer to him, for in this is our only hope that our advancement in the love of the truth will be permanent. My constant prayer is, that we may individually be fitted up to do all his will, especially, that wisdom, power, and faith, may be given to those at the head of the work, and that we may all come into the unity of the faith.

A. M. LINDSLEY.

Vermillion, Os. Co., N. Y.