"Marching On In The Will of God." And the Lord said unto Moses... "Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward." Exodus chapter 14 verse 15. How appropriate these words are as we stand at the opening days of this new year. God's people were on the threshold of a new way of life in a new environment. They had spent their years in the land of Egypt. Now the Lord was leading them out and onward to new challenges. God was opening up new horizons to their view. The journey would not be without trials and testings, but the promise of the divine Presence was assured. So it will be with us as we move forward with the same faithful Leader. Let us consider some lessons from the context of this bible passage. 1. The Temptation to Look Back. verse 12. At the outset of the journey the people encountered a great difficulty. They had travelled as far as the shores of the Red Sea. Their progress seemed imposssible. Behind them, the armies of Egypt were in hot pursuit. What were they to do? Fear and unbelief, coupled with accusation were quick to speak. "Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore 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 the wilderness." Here was the first test of faith on the journey, and it seems that these people failed the test. Their carnal, unbelieving hearts spoke the language of defeat. They preferred to stay in the confines of mediocrity and treadmill routine, rather than break through to new ground with God. If they had been permitted to have their way they would probably have trudged back to the brickfields of Pharaoh. God says, "Remember not the former things. Behold I will do a new thing. Even now it shall spring forth...I will make a way in the wilderness.... Resist the temptation to look back and dwell on past failure. Refuse to be defeated by past disappointments. Don't give in because of past betrayals. Be careful not to reflect and rest on past achievements. These are areas which impede progress in the march of faith. 2. The Time to Look Up. verse 13 "Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today... The Lord shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace. Here is a timeless truth. When the odds are against you and you are hemmed in on every side there is still a way out. Situations and circumstances may build walls around you but they cannot build a roof over you. The uplook is always bright. The missionary, Adoniram Judson made the statement, "The future is as bright as the promises of God" Resolve to make this your motto and attitude for the coming year. The Lord says, "Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth." In the Hebrew epistle we are challenged by the heroes of faith who finished their course with unwavering faith. "Wherefore seeing we are compased about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS the Author and the Finisher of our faith..." 12 v. 1 3. The Task - To Go Forward This was the word of the Lord to his servant Moses. Tell the people to go forward. God was going to make a way where there was no pathway. The chorus says, "I know the Lord will make a way for me, If I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right; I know the Lord will make a way for me." Our goal is clearer than ever. Onward as we seek to win lost souls for the Saviour. Onward as we set our hearts to the experience of the sanctified heart and the joy of full salvation. Onward as we pray for revival. Onward with the vision for Mission 2001. Onward with our Layman's School of the Bible. Onward with our weekly Radio broadcast, reaching across the land and touching more and more lives. David Livingstone's motto for life was, "Anywhere - Providing it be forward." I like that kind of living. God knows we could do with more of it in these days of lukewarmness, and small minded attitudes. Then forward still 'tis Jevovah's will, Though the billows dash and spray. With a conquering tread we will push ahead, He'll roll the sea away. We send our 2001 greetings to likeminded people and trust this is the best year yet in your service for the Lord. If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly. Written for this Web Site by Rev. E. Stewart. Due to be updated: Wednesday 31st Jnauary Archived Messages. 15/12/00 Christmas Message 07/10/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (2) 15/09/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (1) 28/07/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (4) 15/06/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (3) 07/05/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (2) 09/04/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (1) 22/04/00 Easter Message