Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:9
![]() The story of the Red Sea has been playing through my mind in recent times. I know the story well just as many of us and we are encouraged because God made an impossible way for His people, the Israelites, to get to the other side. But one part of this story has caught my attention and I have been musing over it ever so often. When the Israelites got caught between a rock and a hard place, so to speak, the Egyptians were behind them and the massive and impassable Red Sea in front, they of course felt trapped, boxed in. They couldn't turn back because they had no weapons with which to fight their enemies, besides which there were women and children with them. They couldn't go forward because a massive body of water was in front of them. Yet God gave this instruction through Moses: "Tell the children of Israel to go forward" (Exodus 14:15b). That instruction caught my attention because it begs the question: "Go forward where?" He didn't tell them to go back because that would mean going back to their past and to certain bondage, even death. But He told them to go forward. Why? Their future was ahead. The promise of His blessings lay ahead of them not behind. Yet the obstacle that lay ahead was even more insurmountable than the obstacle behind. They could at least try to fight their enemies and maybe gain a little leeway but nature??? That was a whole different thing! Sometimes, in order to reach for what God has planned for us we have to go through an absolutely impossible situation. It's not always the kind that you can fight your way through or even find a way around. It's many times the kind that seems to put a complete stop to any hopes and dreams you may have. It's the "NO" of all "no's". It's not an if, or a maybe but an absolute "NO!!!" It's the bank turning you down and that hope of owning your own business or even your own home seems lost. It's the kind of "No" where the doctor says that there is no hope, there's nothing more that they can do, so basically put your house in order because it's time to die. It's the kind of "No" where you lose your job or the promotion you were expecting to get and that you deserve, goes to someone else. That "No" can come in any form or fashion. You know what your "No" looks like. Yet when God steps in His simple instruction to you is: "Go forward." At this point you are wondering "Go forward where? How? Why?" And yet God sees past that "NO." Where we would STOP at that "No" God prompts us to keep going, keep moving forward. This is the point where it is out of our reach, it's outside of our ability and now we have no choice but to let God finally step in and do what He does best . . . the IMPOSSIBLE!!! When the children of Israel decided to obey God, He did the impossible. He did something that had never been done before ... He caused that massive body of water to stand up on either side like a wall and a clear dry path was made for His people to walk through. God did not do it the way they expected but He did it. What lies beyond your "No?" Yes, sometimes "No" means "No" but sometimes God is saying, "It''s not over, keep moving forward, keep going. My best for you lies beyond that "No" all you have to do is keep going." So my encouragement to you is to keep going. Don't give up, don't stop, unless God says to stop. Sometimes we miss God's best, we miss the opportunity to fulfil our hopes and dreams because we stopped at "No." Sometimes "No" doesn't mean STOP, it just means, "Keep going!" and watch God do the impossible!!!
2 Comments
Nicole Semper
13/2/2020 12:34:52 pm
Thank you for this post! I appreciate the illustration of the Red Sea. Indeed, sometimes what appears to be a "No" can be a scary place because we do not know what lies ahead. I'm thinking how impossible the situation seemed as the Israelites faced this huge body of water. It seemed like something that could drown them. Sometimes we face situations that could seemingly consume us. However, I'm thinking of the courage and faith it took for the Israelites to go forward. To "keep going" is to put faith in action; to take bold step. It is to trust the Lord wholeheartedly. Thank you so much for this!
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Kerry-Ann
13/2/2020 04:43:58 pm
Thank you for your inspiring comment. Yes it is indeed faith in action, not an always easy step to take but a necessary one if we want to see God's best for us. When we "choose" to trust God completely we are guaranteed that we will never be disappointed.
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February 2025
AuthorThis blog provides inspirational nuggets inspired by the Word of God and serves to encourage and motivate Christians in their Christian walk. |