Forward! A word for anxious inquirers.
It is the first step that costs. When the Israelites come 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 for the gulf before us. “Go forward!” Wouldst thou have us, Lord, to perish in the billows? Still the same 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 troubled 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 a time 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 to him! Go forward! 2. Another one 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 to 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 third 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 as soon as you determine to obey that voice which says to you, Go forward.
[Chr. Intel.