| Things to Live For |
Chapter 15 |
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But there is another phase of the lesson. God often waits for us. We fail many times to receive the blessing he has ready for us because we do not go forward with him. While we miss much good through not waiting for God, we also miss much through over waiting. There are times when our strength is to stand still, but there also are times when we are to go forward with firm step.
There are many divine promises which are conditioned upon the beginning of some action on our part. When we begin to obey, God will begin to bless us; and as we continue in our obedience, his blessing will continue to be given to us. Great things were promised to Abraham, but not one of them could have been obtained by waiting in Chaldea. He must leave home, friends, possessions, and country, and go out into unknown paths, and press on in unfaltering obedience, in order to receive the promises.
When the Israelites were beside the Red Sea, shut in by natural walls, pressed by a pursuing army, and in peril of destruction, there were two commands given to Moses, which illustrate both sides of this waiting lesson. In answer to the fear and murmuring of the people, Moses said to them, “Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” They had nothing to do just at that moment but to wait until God should work. But a little later, as Moses was praying to God, there came to him the command, “Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward.” The duty was no longer one of waiting, but one of rising up from bended knees, and going forward in the way of heroic faith.
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