Day 30 | A Place Called Forward - Principles of Empowerment 30-Day Devotional
Exodus 14:14, “The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” And the LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.”
Have you ever felt like you did not know where to go or what to do? A better question might be: “When was the last time you felt that way?”
Beware of feelings. Feelings are not final reality. I have been on flights that were so smooth that it did not feel like we were moving. However, 12 inches from my window seat there was pandemonium going on outside at 37,000 feet, traveling at 550 miles per hour, with sub zero temperature air and very low oxygen. So, my feeling could not define the reality.
I have been on merry-go-rounds where everything was moving and I was only going in a circle. One day, a guy saw me with my earphones and remarked that I must have enjoyed my music. That was how he felt. In fact, I was listening to the text of a scholarly article.
Feelings and emotionalism are such a problem until people today can’t embrace reality because of feeling a certain way. I am glad that the most important people in my life operate on reality more than feelings: My attorney, my pilots on commercial flights, my doctors, my pastor, my close friends, and more.
Forward defined: To cause to proceed or progress toward a goal. To cause to go or be taken from one place or condition to another.
For you, there is a place called “Forward.” For Israel, their “Forward” was something called the “Promised Land.” The people of Israel did not possess a map to the Promised Land. This was more of a promise of something greater than their present condition in Egypt.
Feeling “stuck” is not uncommon. We all have that feeling from time to time. Israel certainly felt that way as they were staring at an impassable body of water in front of them, with an Egyptian army bearing down on them from behind.
The good news is this: We serve a God who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).
God told Moses to tell the people to “Go forward.” This didn’t make sense because of the Red Sea in front of them, but it was an opportunity to trust the Lord in a very special way.
You don’t have to be concerned about things that don’t make sense to you. You only need to focus on His word, His promises, and the spiritual principles that govern you and your circumstances.
Look for a pillar of fire in your life and circumstances.
Your “pillar of fire” is not a miraculous sign (we don’t look for signs - Matthew 16:4). Your pillar of fire is something you know God has done for you. Your pillar of fire is the blessing already present in your life, but may have been overshadowed by your present challenges.
You might be enjoying extended years of life because of God’s healing power. You might have the blessing of people who love you and continue to support you every day of your life. That’s a pillar of fire for you. It is something that removes any doubt that God is with you and continues to keep the enemy from overtaking you.
Today, God is still saying, “Go forward.” Forward is the only direction in which God is moving.
Forward is a place that stretches your faith and exercises your prayer life. Forward is the place and the direction your vision takes you.
How is this? We can always go forward because “forward” is not a compass direction, it is a mindset, a sense of purpose, and a promise from God.
Reflection Question: Based on your faith in God, describe what forward looks like to you.
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Excerpt from "Principles of Empowerment" available at www.VisionBooksMedia.com
