.....move

Moses received clear instruction as God spoke to him from the burning bush; "I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10). Moses debated with God regarding his assignment and pushed God to the limit of His patience; "The Lord's anger burned against Moses" Exodus 4:14.

But once he began to follow, Moses maintained a close relationship with God and witnessed His mighty hand in many different ways. God worked through Moses to bring plagues against the Egyptians and to miraculously bring the Israelites out of Egypt. As Pharaoh released the Israelites and they began their journey into the desert, Moses witnessed more of God's power; "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light" Exodus 13:21.

However, as the Israelites approached the Red Sea, "Pharaoh and his officials changed their mind" (Exodus 14:5). Every chariot in Egypt was sent to bring the Israelites back. With no escape route in sight, and the Egyptian army closing in, the people cried out to God. Moses tried to calm the people, "The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still" Exodus 14:14. But being still was not in God's plan.

"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.'"Exodus 14:15-16

God had been in close communion with Moses. He had given His direction and demonstrated His awesome power. Now at this moment of crisis, God expected Moses to know what to do: "Why are you crying out to Me...move on!"

We must diligently seek His will in stillness and prepare our life to follow where He leads; "be still and know that He is God" Psalm 46:10. But we cannot allow our stillness to make us immobile: "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap" Ecclesiastes 11:4. The conditions will never feel perfect, nor will we ever feel fully prepared; beware of a never-ending mission analysis which paralyzes us from action. In the end we must remember: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31.

There will always come a time when God expects us to demonstrate our faith in what He has provided. Let's prepare for that time by drawing near and learning to trust in HIS ability. Let's live with an active faith such that when we know His power, know His provision, and know His direction, we are able to trust and move on.

- steve troxel