GO FORWARD by Lilla D. Avery

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 9, 1877

GO FORWARD.

By Lilla D. Avery

“Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” Ex. 14:15.

The Lord had led his chosen people thus far by the strength of his omnipotent arm. He had brought terror and destruction upon their enemies, and had miraculously delivered Israel. His people had been eye witnesses of his power as manifested in Egypt. He had wrought wonders, not only to induce the sin-hardened Pharaoh to let his people go, but that his own chosen people might never have cause to doubt his power. Then, too, he wished them to forsake the heathen gods of the Egyptians, with which many of them had corrupted themselves.

And now God, wishing to prove them, brings them to a trying place. They have reached the waters of the Red Sea. Their enemies are pressing close upon their rear. Towering mountains form an impassable barrier to the right and left, and escape seems impossible. They fail to bear the test, and murmur at their faithful leader. Moses, on his part, has done all that could be done, and now nothing remains but for God to make bare his almighty arm, and save them.

The faith of the calm leader remains unshaken; his courage never fails. And in tones of mild rebuke he bids that mighty host, now helpless and fear-stricken, “Stand still, and see the salvation of God.” What a moment! How pregnant with important results to that vast army!

All stand breathless and mute, as the ringing tones of Moses are heard, bidding them, in the name of the God of Israel, “Go forward!” And lo! before the trembling host can question the wisdom of the Almighty at his command, the surging waters of the sea fall back on either side. The passage is performed in safety; and on the morrow the faithless, doubting host, behold the complete destruction of their oppressors. Fear gives place to shouts of triumph; anguish and terror, to calmness and joy. And all that mighty host break forth in one grand song of victory and praise for their great deliverance.

What a grand lesson of faith and trust is here given to God’s people! Oppressed as we often are by the enemy, overtaken by doubts, hemmed in by mountains of discouragement, and the dark waters of despair almost ready to engulf us,—still the voice of our glorious Leader may be heard speaking to us, through the signs of the times, the distress of nations, war, perplexity, and famine, in tones of loudest thunder, “Go forward!”

We have already passed many of the waymarks, and we know by them that we are unmistakably nearing that blest Canaan of rest. Then shall we join with all the redeemed throng in singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.

Go forward, brother, sister, go forward! Let this be the watchword, Onward to victory; and through the strength of Israel’s God, we shall be conquerors.

LILLA D. AVERY.

Locke, Mich., July 28, 1877.