| Things to Live For |
Chapter 15 |
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Perhaps oftener than we know do we need the same exhortation. There are times when prayer is not the duty of the hour, but when we must rise from our knees and go afield. We think we are honoring God by waiting quietly, patiently, and prayerfully till he shall open the way for us, while really we are dishonoring him by want of present faith and ready obedience. Blessing waits for us while we are waiting, but it cannot be given to us until we go forth to get it. Not always is resignation a duty; sometimes it is sin, – a sin of indolence, inertness, disobedience, unbelief.
We have a familiar illustration of this teaching in the story of the Israelites’ crossing the Jordan. The river did not open while the people were waiting in their camps. If they had stayed there, it would not have opened for them at all. They must show their faith in God by breaking camp, making all preparation for passing over into the Land of Promise, and then beginning their march while yet the river ran to its widest banks. It is remarkable that not until the advance guard of priests came to the very edge of the water did the river begin to sink away. If the people had waited back in their camps for the opening of the way for them through the river before they would begin their movement, the way would never have been opened. The key to unlock the gate into the Land of Promise they held in their own hand, and the gate would not turn on its hinges until they had approached it and unlocked it. That key was faith. They must believe God’s promise that a way would be made for them, and must rise up and move forward as if there were no intervening river.
Life is full of just such occasions as this. The miracle of the river is a parable for all our common days and our common experiences. Difficulties and obstacles lie before us, seeming to block our way. Beyond these hindrances are fair field filled with beauty and treasure. Honors wait there for us. If only we could pass over, we should be rich; our life would be nobler, stronger. But between us and those heights of privilege, attainment, and achievement runs the impassable river. The voice of the divine life within us calls us to go on to win and possess the fair lands that shine in such radiance before us. But we think of the river, and say, “If God will open the way through it, then I can pass over.” Then we sit down in our hampered environment to wait for God to take the obstacle away. But he will never do it while we wait. We must rise up in the strength of our faith, and say, “The voice of God is calling me, and the hand of God will make the way for me through these seemingly impassable barriers to the lofty heights yonder.”
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