Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Exodus 14: 15, 16
14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry [ground] through the midst of the sea.
PP - Patriarchs and Prophets (1890)
It was “by faith” that “they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.” Hebrews 11:29. In marching down to the very water, they showed that they believed the word of God as spoken by Moses. They did all that was in their power to do, and then the Mighty One of Israel divided the sea to make a path for their feet. {PP 290.1}
The great lesson here taught is for all time. Often the Christian life is beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, “Go forward.” We should obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, “Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly;” but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things. {PP 290.2}
It is by faith that we are to go forward. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. The path whereby God leads the way may lie through the desert or the sea, but you can be sure it is a safe path. Wherever God leads, we must follow. So, brothers and sisters, the time is now, where some will be called to go forward. But do not let doubt hinder your progress but let faith advance your walk with God, hoping all things, believing all things.
Dear Father, God Almighty,
We thank You for giving us this privilege and still another opportunity to come before You as a people on this Your Holy Sabbath day. We thank You for all Your wonderful promises, for Your promises are eternal. We pray that You will pour out Your Holy Spirit on us, that You bless us with a double portion of Your Holy Spirit. May Your spirit continue to lead us and guide us and keep us on a safe path, the path that leads to Your heavenly kingdom. May our worship be favorable and well pleasing in Your sight. May You bless us with Your word and give us power from on high. We thank You for all the blessings You have in store for us today. Increase our faith, help our unbelief. Save us and forgive us of our sins. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Jesus Christ we thank You and praise You. Amen.
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