March Forward
The sermon encourages listeners to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even in times of uncertainty, and to follow Him on the path of faith.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by the children of Israel, emphasizing the power of God to make a way where there seems to be no way. He encourages believers to trust in God's command, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, knowing that God will provide a path to freedom and victory. Cowman reminds the congregation that God's presence is greater than any storm or barrier, and that obedience to His leading will lead to a place of unknown blessings and praises.
Text
"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward" (Exod. 14:15).
Imagine, O child of God, if you can, that triumphal march! The excited children restrained from ejaculations of wonder by the perpetual hush of their parents; the most uncontrollable excitement of the women as they found themselves suddenly saved from a fate worse than death; while the men followed or accompanied them ashamed or confounded that they had ever mistrusted God or murmured against Moses; and as you see those mighty walls of water piled by the outstretched hand of the Eternal, in response to the faith of a single man, learn what God will do for His own.
Dread not any result of implicit obedience to His command; fear not the angry waters which, in their proud insolence, forbid your progress. Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, "the Lord sitteth King for ever."
A storm is only as the outskirts of His robe, the symptom of His advent, the environment of His presence.
Dare to trust Him; dare to follow Him! And discover that the very forces which barred your progress and threatened your life, at His bidding become the materials of which an avenue is made to liberty. --F. B. Meyer
Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life,
Where, in spite of all you can do,
There is no way out, there is no way back,
There is no other way but through?
Then wait on the Lord with a trust serene
Till the night of your fear is gone;
He will send the wind, He will heap the floods,
When He says to your soul, "Go on."
And His hand will lead you through--clear through--
Ere the watery walls roll down,
No foe can reach you, no wave can touch,
No mightiest sea can drown;
The tossing billows may rear their crests,
Their foam at your feet may break,
But over their bed you shall walk dry shod
In the path that your Lord will make.
In the morning watch, 'neath the lifted cloud,
You shall see but the Lord alone,
When He leads you on from the place of the sea
To a land that you have not known;
And your fears shall pass as your foes have passed,
You shall be no more afraid;
You shall sing His praise in a better place,
A place that His hand has made.
--Annie Johnson Flint
Sermon Outline
- I. The Call to March Forward
- A. God's promise to lead His people through the Red Sea
- B. The importance of trusting God in times of uncertainty
- II. The Power of God's Presence
- A. The storm is only a symptom of God's advent
- B. The environment of God's presence is one of freedom and liberty
- III. Waiting on the Lord
- A. Trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness
- B. Waiting for God's timing and leading
- IV. The Path of Faith
- A. Following God's guidance and leading
- B. Walking in faith, not by sight
Key Quotes
“Dare to trust Him; dare to follow Him! And discover that the very forces which barred your progress and threatened your life, at His bidding become the materials of which an avenue is made to liberty.” — Charles E. Cowman
“He will send the wind, He will heap the floods, When He says to your soul, 'Go on.'” — Charles E. Cowman
“You shall walk dry shod In the path that your Lord will make.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We must learn to trust God in times of uncertainty, and not rely on our own understanding or strength.
- Waiting on the Lord is essential in times of uncertainty, as it allows us to trust in His timing and leading.
- Following God's guidance and leading is the path of faith, and it requires us to surrender our fears and doubts to Him.