Words of Life, Light and Love

WORDS OF LIFE, LIGHT AND LOVE

Sermons by Albert John Munday Ph.D.

Compiled by Effie Munday

Front Cover: Daniel Bignall

Words of Life, Light and Love

Copyright © 2015 Effie Munday

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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A copy of this publication can be found in the National Library of Australia.

ISBN:  978-1-742845-50-0 (pbk.)

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CONTENTS

MOSES AND OTHER MEN

JESUS AND THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

JESUS AND HIS MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCES

‘I AM’

CLAIMING VICTORY IN CHRIST

MOSES

AND

OTHER MEN

MOSES ENCOUNTERS THE EGYPTIAN PRINCESS

Exodus 2:1-10.

The Setting in Egypt

The family of Abraham lived in Palestine. His grandson, Jacob, had twelve sons. God changed Jacob′s name to Israel, which means ‘Prince with God’. So Abraham′s descendants were known as the Children of Israel. As you know, the nation is now called Israel.

Joseph was Israel′s favourite son, being the son of his favourite wife, Rachael. Rachael died giving birth to a second son, Benjamin. Israel loved these two boys, especially Joseph, more than his other ten sons. He gave to Joseph a coat of many colours that set him apart from all his brothers. Naturally they were jealous and hated Joseph. When an opportunity arose they sold him as a slave to traders who took him to Egypt. There under God′s hand he rose to become second in authority in the nation, just under the Pharaoh or King.

God warned Pharaoh that seven fruitful years would be followed by seven years of drought. Joseph advised him to save food in preparation for the famine about to come. When the famine came to Egypt and Palestine as well, Pharaoh had plenty of food.

Israel heard about the supply and sent to Egypt for food. Joseph was able to help his extended family, numbering eighty-five. Pharaoh was pleased to allow them to live in Goshen in northeast Egypt. There they settled and grew in numbers as did their cattle and herds.

They lived in Egypt content, prosperous and undisturbed for many generations. Then we read these startling words: (Exodus 1:8) ‘Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.’ This was a new family or dynasty of kings. But the Egyptians were afraid of so many people of a different nationality living together on their northern border. As a result of their fear they forced the Israelites to serve as slaves.

Many years before, God had told Abraham that his descendants would go to Egypt. There they would stay for four hundred years and be made slaves, but would come out with great wealth.

Even as slaves their numbers increased and the Egyptians became more fearful. The taskmasters whipped them cruelly. Their numbers continued to increase so Pharaoh issued an order. Ex.1:22 ‘Then Pharaoh commanded all his people saying, Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.’

MOSES IS BORN

Then a beautiful baby boy was born to a family of the tribe of Levi. What baby isn′t beautiful! Pharaoh′s order to throw him into the Nile River would make him appear more beautiful, and to be loved twice as much. His parents hid him in their house!

Heb. 11:23 ‘By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.’

MOSES IS PLACED ON THE RIVER NILE

A hand-woven basket was coated inside and out with tar to keep it watertight. Then Baby Moses was placed into it. His mother carried it to the Nile River and set it down among the tall reeds. Miriam, his older sister, was instructed to watch it to see what would happen. The parents acted with trust in God.

1. Moses was placed in the basket.

2. Moses was placed in the Nile River.

3. Moses was placed in the hands of God.

There: He was safe under God′s eyes.

    He was safe in God′s hands.

    He was safe in the centre of God′s plans.

He was also under the watchful eye of his sister Miriam. She was instructed to watch but she could do little more. That is, until her moment arrived, and then she was brilliant.

MOSES ENCOUNTERS THE PHARAOH′S DAUGHTER

1. The Princess came to the River to Bathe.

Why did she come to that particular place?

Why at that precise moment, before the current had time to wash the basket downstream?

Why did not an Egyptian citizen or soldier find it first?

That would certainly have resulted in his death, especially if a soldier had found him.

Certainly the baby was under the watchful eye of God!

The princess was curious, so sent her maid to bring the basket to her. Then she saw a Hebrew baby!

2. Moses Cried.

Surely in the entire world there must be nothing less powerful than a baby′s cry. Oh yes, mothers, I know they can yell rather loudly at times. And I know a weak cry can generate sympathy. Yet Moses′ cry absolutely conquered the heart of one of the most powerful people in Egypt. How could the cry of a baby have more force than the command of the King of Egypt? But it did! This was Moses’ first encounter with the Princess of Egypt.

3. The Princess Responds

She saw the Baby

I do not know what she thought she would find in the basket. But there, carefully wrapped up in his little blanket, was a baby.

She recognised the Baby as a Hebrew Child.

This was not an Egyptian baby but one belonging to the Hebrew slaves. She saw him lying there with his face peeping over his blanket. There was no doubt that she recognised him as a Hebrew baby. She said he was.

She decided to keep him as her own child.

She chose to disobey her father′s command.

4. Miriam Plays Her Part

Her Watchfulness: She kept her eyes on her little brother as instructed.

Her Brilliant Thoughtfulness Ex. 2:7 ‘Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?’ From where did she get such an idea? It must have been God-inspired.

MOSES PREPARES FOR GOD′S SERVICE

Miriam took Moses home to his mother, probably until he was weaned. Then he was handed over to the Princess.

1. Moses was Educated.

At this time Egypt probably had the best education in the world. Certainly they had the greatest developments in science, arts, accounting, agriculture, irrigation, engineering, construction, etc. Moses would certainly have been taught in most, if not all, of these. They had the architects and masons to direct the slaves in building the pyramids and other magnificent buildings. They practised surveying, mathematics and accounting. Their agriculture was enhanced by well-designed irrigation. They had a written language in hieroglyphics. It was picture language, perhaps a little like Chinese. Their knowledge of astronomy was outstanding.

There is a shaft constructed in one of the pyramids, which relates to one of the planets. On the night when it reaches its farthest movement to the north, the light shines down the shaft. It shines on a predetermined point far down in the centre of the pyramid. It happens on only that one night!

Some scientists and engineers are saying today that we do not know how the pyramids were constructed. With all modern technology and scientific help they could not build them.

2. Moses was Trained for Service

There is quite a possibility that, had he stayed, he could have been chosen to be the Pharaoh. He needed to be well prepared.

Moses was trained in leadership.

- to understand what governing a nation involved

- to set up rules to control many people

- to look beyond personal needs

(Looking back we know that he needed to understand these things. Later he was to lead hundreds of thousands of the children of Israel out of Egypt into Palestine.)

- to quickly enlist an army (He asked Joshua to fight off the attack of Amalek.) Ex.17:8 ff

- to delegate authority (As with Joshua and the army…and later on the advice of his father-in-law.)

And he asked his brother-in-law, Hobab, to help. (Nu.10:29-31.)

GOD WAS ACTING

Moses was too young to know what was happening.

Miriam was too young to understand it all.

Their parents were unable to do any more, but were simply trusting God to protect their baby.

And God saw their faith and was watching and working.

This was a God-planned encounter that worked out perfectly.

God had plans: He foreknew the events

-He ordained or ordered the events

-He watched over the events

-He prepared the right people at the right time to do the right things.

He has plans for each one of us. I do not expect them to have as great an influence on the world as was Moses′ life. Yet God wants to use each one of His children. He has plans for us all. Seek to know God′s plans for your life. Ask Him to guide you, to go before and prepare the way. Give Him your life to serve Him as He wills. He will accept you and make all things work together for your good.

MOSES ENCOUNTERS PHARAOH

Ephesians.: 6:10-18

Those who aspire to be short story writers are told there is one essential ingredient. It is the element of struggle and conflict. The reader then enters into the struggle with the hero. It is the struggle for mastery that makes all kinds of sport so exciting. Many enjoy struggling against the forces of nature and we admire their efforts. Before Hillary scaled Mt. Everest many unsuccessful attempts were made. Of Mallory′s Party, which made a fatal attempt, it was said, ‘Last seen, they were pressing on towards the top.’

Who has read the diary of Captain Robert Scott without sharing the struggle to get back to the ship? All the party that went to the South Pole perished in a terrible snowstorm in 1912. But you keep hoping they can travel the last thirteen miles to the depot, where there was food to help them reach safety.

The struggle for man′s soul continues every day. Satan attacks in earnest when we take interest in the things of God. Although we have accepted God′s gift of salvation, he does not stop. One Christian organisation in Australia (Open Air Campaigners) has as its motto, ‘Truceless Warfare.’ If Satan cannot succeed in getting you to disobey God by one method he will try other ways. One of these is compromise.

We will look at Moses′ encounter with Pharaoh under the title:

MEETING THE DEVIL HALFWAY or NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE

Our elder daughter once wished to sell her old Holden car. We learned of a young man who wanted to purchase one. He looked at it and said how much he was willing to pay. I told him how much my daughter wished to obtain for it. There was a pause, so I added, ‘All right, I′ll meet you half way.’ I brought my price down and he took his up the same amount so they were equal. In a small business deal like that I thought there was nothing wrong with the ‘meeting half-way approach.’

But beware when the offer is to meet the devil half way! Beware of any compromise with him! It is a method Satan has used so successfully with young people and not-so-young people.

Long ago there was a battle being fought out in Egypt. Moses was God′s soldier and Pharaoh was the devil′s champion. He endeavoured to defeat Moses by compromise. God told Moses to take all the people three day′s journey out into the desert to worship Him. ‘Let my people go,’ demanded Moses of Pharaoh. At first Pharaoh said, ‘No.’ Gradually, after God had brought some of His ten plagues upon Pharaoh, he began to weaken. His words changed from, ‘No,’ to ‘Yes, but...’ It is generally easier to fight against Satan when he says, ‘No.’ Take great care when he says, ‘Yes…but.’

SACRIFICE IN THE LAND

Moses said, ‘God told us to go three days′ journey into the wilderness to worship Him’. Ex.8:25

‘And Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.’

Pharaoh′s reasoning is crystal clear. He did not wish to lose his slaves. As soon as they had worshipped he would continue their enslavement. Moses refused. He did not know how God wanted the sacrifices to be made, but he knew God would tell him.

Moses said that their sacrifices would be an abomination to the Egyptians. So would those of the Egyptians be to the Israelites.

God wanted His people out of the midst of Egypt. He wanted them to be free of the influence of the false Egyptian gods. That influence bore deadly fruit when Aaron made the golden calf. God wanted them to be spiritually free.

This compromise is still tried by Satan. He will say words such as, ‘You don′t need to go to church to be a Christian.’ He might even use a friend to say the words, ‘Be a Christian if you wish but you don′t have to be different. Still be one of the gang. Be one of us just the same.’

We need to be careful of compromising our beliefs with denominations that joined the World Council of Churches. Some of them do not advocate the separated life that we believe God calls us to. Many are advocating cooperation with other religions that claim there are other ways to God beside Jesus Christ. In 2Cor 6:17, 18, God says: ′Therefore come out from their midst and be separate,′ says the Lord, ′and do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a Father unto you, and you will be sons and daughters unto me,′ says the Lord Almighty.’

Notice the separation is from the world and unto God. The blessing we want is to be children of God but there is a condition: ‘Do not live in agreement with the spirit of this age.’ Why does God say this? The system of this age does not recognise God as Creator of all life and there is no obedience to God and Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us that the ungodly have the wrath of God pronounced upon them. (Eph 2:3)

It was the spirit of this age that crucified Jesus. It was the spirit of self, self-will and self-righteousness, self-interest and self-glory. James called friendship with the world spiritual adultery. That was the name God gave to the worship of idols in the Old Testament. That was why He warned against marrying unbelievers. There is too much compromise.

What a tragic story is told of Lot, Abraham′s nephew. He had a wonderful start living with Abraham but he separated from Abraham and moved ‘towards Sodom’ to live. Before long he was ‘in Sodom’. He tried to warn the two young men engaged to be married to his daughters of God′s impending judgment. They laughed, thinking Lot was telling a joke. What would Lot know about God′s righteousness and judgment? He is one of us. God calls us to come out…to Him and be separated.

The second compromise that the devil tried on Moses he will also try on us.

SACRIFICE NOT FAR AWAY

Ex.8:28 ‘And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, so that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away.’ Not very far away means Pharaoh hoped they would soon return. Just how correct he was, can be seen in the many times the Children of Israel talked about returning to Egypt.

Do not go far away. Satan′s compromise is for us to be close by his children. Do not be very different.

One of his suggestions is, ‘Why, everybody′s doing it!’ Beware of this devil′s lie! Not at any time is everybody doing anything. Dare to be like Daniel even if it means standing alone. Elijah thought he was standing alone for God. But he discovered that there were seven thousand like him refusing to bow to false gods.

Some years ago I spoke about baptism to a woman who claimed to be a Christian. She vowed she would never be baptised. She said she was not fanatical enough for that. She believed in short excursions into religion on Sunday nights.

The family was all too busy on Sunday mornings. The older son was at band practice and she and her husband worked at house chores.

Several years later I was at a Baptist Youth Conference in Adelaide. She came to greet me with a bright smiling face. She told me that she and her husband and older son had all been baptised and joined the church. They decided to leave Egypt right behind them and follow Jesus all the way. They had found wonderful joy in doing so.

The devil says, ‘Be a Christian, but keep within reach of the old life in case you want to return to it. Just give God one hour on Sunday and keep the rest of the week for yourselves. Be reasonable and sensible. Do not become too fanatical.’

Jesus said that if we want to become a disciple we have to say, ‘No,’ to self, take up the cross and follow Him. There is the saying, ‘Burn your bridges behind you’. That way we cannot return to the sinful life of the past.

ONLY THE MEN CAN GO

Pharaoh was feeling sorry for himself. He found it difficult to fight against the Almighty. The Lord was winning the contest with His plagues. So Pharaoh tried again with another modern day compromise. Why should all the family go? Only the men may go.

Why take the women and children? Pharaoh knew that if their wives and children stayed, the men would soon return. We have in Australia a slightly different idea. It seems to be, ‘Let the women go.’ But notice whom God calls. He wants all the family, men women and children. He loves them all. Jesus died for all, who, like sheep, have gone astray.

Today we might ask, ‘Where are the children?’ Many are in Egypt in bondage to sin. God is put out of many homes. No grace is said before meals. No family worship is offered. No prayer is made. The children do not attend Sunday School or church if they do not want to. We do not want to force them. But these same parents want the best education for their children.

They ensure the best medical and dental care.

Social graces are not neglected - music, ballet, art, physical education, sport, etc. But their souls are neglected and starved.

Some loving parents discover that their children do not want to go to church. They do not want them to grow up hating religion so they don’t compel them to go. When Monday morning comes there is no fear that forcing them to go to school will cause them to hate education. That rule is not applied in the secular realm.

Some boys, only Australian ones, I suppose, don′t like water. Do you think their parents say, ‘I cannot force him to wash behind his ears? He might grow up with a fear of water.’ Where are the children? Many are in Egypt in bondage to sin. They need Jesus to set them free. Pray for your loved ones’ conversion. Talk to them about their need of the Saviour.

YOUR FLOCKS AND HERDS MUST STAY

Ex.10:24 ‘Then Pharaoh called to Moses, and said, ′Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and herds be detained. Even your little ones may go with you.’ Moses was not just being stubborn when he replied. He had good reason to refuse this compromise.

Ex.10:25,26 ‘But Moses said, You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice them to the Lord our God. Therefore, our livestock, too, will go with us; not a hoof will be left behind, for we shall take some of them to serve the Lord our God. And until we arrive there, we ourselves do not know with what we shall serve the Lord.’

‘Not a hoof shall be left behind.’ There is a fundamental principle involved. We worship God with our possessions.

Often in Baptist churches, before the offering is received, we hear the announcement, ‘Let us worship the Lord as we present our offerings to Him.’ God requires that we serve Him with our money and our goods.

Churches are criticised because they ask for money. A genuine Christian does not begrudge giving a tenth of his income to God and delights in making other gifts as well.

I mentioned tithing to our church in Broken Hill. The poorest paid worker at the mines received at least twice what I did. Some of the men of the church were probably paid three or four times as much. Their reply was that a tenth would be giving too much money. I have not found that those who tithe say it is too much to give to God.

I used to own one of the weekly bulletins from an American church. Printed on it were these words: ‘Tithing is not the church′s means of raising money. It is God′s way of saving the soul from the deadly sin of covetousness.’

Are you going half way with the devil? Are you worshipping the Lord, but leaving your worldly goods safely back home in Egypt? Or safe in your bank account? Of course we are always generous at making excuses for one another.

We excuse children from giving because they have so little.

We excuse young people who have just started work because they have had no time to accumulate any wealth.

We excuse young married couples because they have so much to purchase and a home to pay off.

We excuse parents with children because it is so costly buying all their children’s need and education is so costly.

We excuse middle-aged parents because their children are going to college and university and that is so costly.

We excuse grandparents because they buy things for the little ones and help their children finish the house repayments.

We excuse retired people because the pension does not really allow for much purchasing.

And there are no more to excuse. We have excuses for everybody.

The prophet Malachi asked the question, ‘Will a man rob God?′ He gave God′s answer. ‘You have robbed me of tithes and offerings.’

An American coloured man was being baptised and the pastor pointed out to him that his wallet was still in his pocket.

The man replied, ‘I want that to be baptised too.’ It was to be set apart for the Lord just as he was.

If your faith costs you nothing, is it worth living for? It would certainly not be worth dying for. In a time of persecution you would not need to fear persecution.

You would probably give up your religion before losing your life. There is much compromise with religion today. Many do not wish it to take them far from the ways of the society in which they live.

There can be no going halfway with the devil if we are going all the way with Jesus. There is no possibility of going halfway with both. With God it is a case of all or nothing at all.

I hope nobody is gaining a wrong impression.

We do not give money to God to buy salvation. God Himself has provided an ample sacrifice for us all. It is the sacrifice of His Son.

Salvation is free!

But if you like to express it this way, the Christian life is costly, it costs us our whole life.

We give it all cheerfully to Jesus. He guarantees that we have abundant joy when we completely follow Him, with no compromise.

May God help us all to give our whole allegiance to Him.

MOSES ENCOUNTERS THE RED SEA

Exodus 14: 13-22.

Grudgingly, Pharaoh gave permission for the Children of Israel to depart from Egypt. This was the beginning of their journey to the Land of Promise. It was not the end of their troubles. Rather it was only the beginning of a new set of troubles and testings.

THE SETTING

The direction that God decided the Children of Israel should take was not a direct route to Palestine. He knew they would be too afraid to pass through the land of the hostile Philistines. Instead He led them by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea.

Exodus 13:21, 22 ‘And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.’

As we consider Moses′ next encounter, let us ask a few questions.

1. Where was Moses?

He was on the edge of the wilderness between Migdol and the Sea.

2. Why was Moses there?

It was the place to which God had led them.

3. Why was there such a sudden crisis that caused the people to panic?

Migdol was an Egyptian watchtower. The Israelite movements could easily have been signalled back to Pharaoh. We read in Exodus 14:5 that Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart towards the Israelites. (Ex. 14:7) ‘And he (Pharaoh) took six hundred select chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.’

(v.9) ‘Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea.’

It was when Pharaoh′s chariots and army were seen approaching that the Israelites cried out to God. They also told Moses that there were enough graves in Egypt; he did not need to bring them out into the wilderness to die. Their cry to God and to Moses seemed to be much the same. They were complaints developed by their fear and lack of faith. As we look at Moses on that day, we notice how well God kept His promise to be with him. We can observe three people or groups and their responsibilities.

Moses′ Responsibility

Moses encouraged the people to have faith in God: (v.13) ‘But Moses said to the people, Do not fear! Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. (v.14) The Lord will fight for you and you will keep silent.’ Moses was told to stretch out his staff, in faith, over the sea and divide it. When the pathway through the waters had been made, God told Moses to tell the people to go forward.

The People′s Responsibility

The Children of Israel were told not to fear, to stand still, to look at God′s way of saving them and then to go forward. (v.15) They were told to go through the midst of the sea on dry land… (v.16) Later we will return to look at these responsibilities and see meaning for ourselves.

God′s Responsibility

(v.17) God said, ‘And as for me, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, so that they will go in after them, and I will be honoured through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. (v.18) And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I am honoured through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.’ In verses 19 and 20 we read that God sent the angel and the pillar of cloud behind the Israelites. There it became darkness to the Egyptians. So God kept the two groups of people separated all through the night.

In response to Moses′ holding out his staff, (v.21b) ‘The Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; so the waters were divided. (v.22) ‘And the Sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.’

Then the Egyptians followed, supposing they had the Israelites as easy prey. (v.25) shows us that God completed His responsibility by causing the Egyptian chariots to have difficulty in moving. He also returned the water as Moses again stretched out his staff. So the Egyptians were drowned.

The result is recorded in (v.31) ‘When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.’

We might have thought that seeing and suffering God′s ten plagues even the Egyptian people might have believed. Some Egyptians who believed Moses′ words were spared at least one plague; when God sent a terrible hailstorm. The animals of those Egyptians who believed the warning and took them to shelter, were spared.

The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us about the Israelites (Heb.11:29) ‘By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.’ Their former faith was poor and wavering, compared to what it was now. We might expect that after witnessing the display of God′s great faithfulness, love and power, they would have perfect, enduring faith. But neither word could describe the faith of most. Poor Moses had been given a very difficult task… with people of so little faith. His faith in God had been established earlier but the faith of the people seemed poor and weak. Yet Moses loved them and helped them continually.

FOUR COMMANDS

Now let us consider in more detail the responsibilities of the Children of Israel.

1. DO NOT FEAR.

What did this mean for the Israelites? It was an instruction not to panic.

That was what they had begun to do. Their words were most illogical and faithless: (Ex. 14,15) ‘Then they said to Moses, Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ′Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.’

How often has God told His people not to fear? Gen. 15:1 ‘Fear not Abraham, I am a shield to you.’

Deut. 3:2 Moses said, ‘But the Lord said to me, Do not fear ′him.’ Joshua 8:1, ‘Now the Lord said to Joshua, Do not fear or be dismayed.’ Isaiah 41:10 ‘Fear not for I am with you.’ 14: Do not fear, I will help you.’ Ezekiel 3:9 ‘Do not be afraid of them.’ Daniel 10:12 ‘Then He said unto me, Do not be afraid, Daniel’ Zechariah 8:13 ‘Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’

In the New Testament also we notice words not to fear are used repeatedly. Matt. 10:26 ‘Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed.’ Matt 10:31 ‘Therefore do not fear for you are of more value than many sparrows.’ Luke 5:10. ‘And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not fear, from now on you shall be catching men.’ Luke 12:32: ‘Fear not little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.’ Acts 27: ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar.’ The secret of not fearing other people is to fear or reverence God. 1 Sam. 12: 24 ‘Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart.’

Why is it important not to fear?

When we fear we lose physical strength.

Listen to God′s promises in Isaiah 41: 10: ‘Do not fear; I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:13 ‘For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, and says to you, ′Do not fear I will help you.′‘ God certainly does not want His servants to be concerned about physical weaknesses when we are engaged in important spiritual living.

We will be physically weak if we have fear. When we fear we lose mental strength. Mental weakness is seen in the foolish suggestions the Israelites made to Moses. We will not do any better if we are fearful.

When we fear we lose spiritual strength. Every aspect of our lives has a spiritual quality. We would be weak if we are fearful.

Jesus gives us every reason to be confident in His strength.

We depend upon His presence, His wisdom and strength.

2. STAND STILL

Moses was giving good advice that we need to follow also. Just stop trying to work out a solution. For our salvation we know there is nothing that we can do. Proud men and women assured of their abilities want to do something. There is nothing that you or I could do that would earn salvation with God; it is a gift. Paul wrote to the Ephesians (2:8): ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;’ 9: ‘not as a result of works; that no one should boast.’

3. SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.

Moses and his people were soon to see the wonderful way God made a path for them across the Red Sea. It was all of God′s doing. They needed to see it, believe it and be ready to respond in the right way.

4. GO FORWARD

They must stop being fearful and stop trying to do something. They must see and appreciate what God had done for them. Then they would be ready to hear and obey Moses′ command, ‘Go forward!’

What an inspiring word. This was a momentous occasion for Moses and all the people. They had no means of defence against Pharaoh′s army, which was just behind them. The sea had blocked their way, but now God opened that route for them. Now it was time to act. Now it was time to do something. It was time to go forward. It was time to leave all of Egypt behind... all its slavery, and whippings and taskmasters...its old homes and food and drink. It was time to leave Egypt′s soldiers just behind God′s protecting cloud. Go forward and trust God!

What lessons we could draw from these words for our benefit? Progress is essential in the Christian life. Go forward!

Go forward into more knowledge.

Basic to all growth in the Christian life is growth in the knowledge of God. It is essential to all other progress. Paul told the Colossians (Col 1:9) ‘For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.’

When Paul wrote to the Philippians he wrote of counting all things as refuse, ‘for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.’

Peter also wrote to his friends about going forward into more knowledge of God. 2 Peter 3:18: ‘But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ Acquire knowledge of the Bible. Learn to distinguish between truth and counterfeits. Paul wrote, ‘Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good.’

Go forward to a higher life.

Advance in Christian character and service. 2 Peter 1: 5-7 ‘ Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge self-control, and in your self control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, Christian love.’ No one can expect to live