Go Forward ➡️

Exodus 13:17-14:15

God told Abraham that his descendants would dwell in the Promised Land. However, after over 400 years of Egyptian slavery, that promise probably seemed more like a distant memory than something in the Israelites’ near future.

But God never forgot about them.

And He has not forgotten about you.

God raised up Moses to lead the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The word “exodus” means departure. In other words, the Israelites were getting out of Egypt. This passage in the book of Exodus describes the actual exodus of the Israelites. It also sets the stage for one of the most famous scenes of deliverance the world has ever seen--the crossing of the Red Sea.

Interestingly, when God leads the children of Israel from the land of captivity to the land of promise, He takes them around the long way, and it seemed like God was leading them to a dead end. (Can you relate?) They were headed toward the sea and Pharaoh thought they were lost. Being stubborn and defiant, Pharaoh seized this opportunity to have his military pursue the Israelites.

Although the children of Israel left Egypt with boldness and excitement, they became fearful when they saw the Egyptian army approaching them. In fact, they were so afraid that they wanted to return to Egypt as slaves. When their journey became difficult, they wanted to go back in time and return to their past.

Does this sound familiar in your life? What happens when you encounter difficulties in your life? Do you become fearful, impatient, or overconfident?

I’ve discovered that fear causes people to retreat, like the Israelites wanted to retreat back in time. Impatience causes them to make foolish decisions, such as returning to Egyptian slavery. Finally, overconfidence causes them to move boldly without direction.

Can you imagine the overconfident Israelites choosing to fight the Egyptian military or wade into the Red Sea without God’s protection?

In this case, rather than being fearful, impatient, or overconfident, Moses trusted the Lord. He told the people not to fear, but to “stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” In other words, rather than risk moving the wrong direction in their own strength, Moses wanted Israel to wait upon the Lord. Moses knew that God would protect Israel from the Egyptians or anything else that came against them.

When you find yourself in a time of crisis, you can also stand still and trust the Lord to fight for you!

That’s good news!

While Moses was standing still, the Lord spoke to him. God said, “Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” God commanded the Israelites to GO FORWARD and He’s saying the same thing to you today!

Going forward seems uncertain and risky, and it may be scary to go forward. In the case of the Israelites, going forward meant marching into the Red Sea. They had no idea what would happen next. Going forward is unpredictable because going forward leads you to the unknown.

The unknown is scary, but it’s also exciting. There are so many things that might happen. Our plans could change and the pieces of our lives could be moved around. The people in our lives may come and go. Opportunities might appear or disappear. We may mark the end of a chapter, a season, or even an era in our lives. But such an end often marks the beginning of a new chapter, season, or era. I take great comfort in knowing that my “unknown” is where God’s “known” begins.

God wants you to GO FORWARD into the greatest year of your life.

He will perform great miracles and wonders in your life. He will make the crooked places straight. He will create opportunities for you. And He will bless you beyond measure.

GO FORWARD with boldness.

I declare that you will go forward, accelerate, and make room for the new in 2022!

Which areas in your life should you move forward?

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