"Keep Moving"

“Keep Moving”

During my 50+ years of ministry I’ve conducted or assisted in about 275 funerals. While each situation is unique the common thread in virtually all of them is the need of comfort for those impacted by a loved one’s or friend’s death. For this reason I almost always quoted or otherwise incorporated Psalm 23 into the service. God has used this passage from the heart of King David to bring encouragement to millions of people in the 3000 years since it was written.

As is the case with many familiar parts of Scripture Psalm 23 can be repeated by rote without thinking about the words (guilty as charged). I was made aware of this by Reggie Dabbs in a recent message at our church. He reminded the congregation that “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, emphasis added). Pastor Reggie pointed out that rather than stopping in the midst of difficult circumstances we’re to keep moving with God so He can lead us out of them. This was a real eye-opener for me—I thought of the times I’d stayed in a valley due to my own stubbornness or self-pity then wondered why God seemed to be silent.

The children of Israel found themselves in a valley just after leaving Egypt on the night of the first Passover (see Exodus 12). They soon arrived at the shore of the Red Sea and looked behind them and saw Pharaoh’s approaching army. The people cried out against Moses’ leadership, he prayed and God answered by saying, “Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” (Exodus 14:15, NKJV, emphasis added). When they obeyed God opened the way, the people crossed on dry ground and their pursuers were drowned when the waters returned to where they’d been before.

Had the nation stayed put they’d have been taken back into bondage in Egypt. But because they kept moving they were delivered. You and I might find ourselves in a situation in which there appears to be no way out. If so, we can’t just sit and wait—we must stand up and move forward with confidence that “…The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs….” (Isaiah 58:11). And we can take Him at His word because “…he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(For a couple of other looks at this subject see “Stuck in Park” and “The I-80 Classroom”.)