"Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward" (Ex. 14:15).

I find so much inactivity and negligence in the Church of Christ, that the above text suggests to my mind a basis for a lesson to, if possible, arouse some from their slumber and to greater activity and usefulness in the cause of the Master. The text and the setting surrounding it is suggestive of a "forward" movement and action. Back of it is the bondage of weary years; the wonderful manifestation of the power of God; the journeying from place of their captivity; the relentless pursuit by the Egyptian host; the fear of Israel; and the charge of Moses—"Stand still and see the salvation of your God."

Did he mean that they were to be saved in inactivity? Certainly not, for in inactivity men are never saved. A do-nothing policy neither brings deliverance nor commands success. They had reached the end of the command, and now they must wait for further orders from God. May we not also learn that important lesson—to stop when we get to the end of the command from Jehovah and patiently and reverently wait for orders from above. The orders came—"Speak to the children, that they go forward." Hence, they were to be saved in going forward!

To advance was not an easy task. A sea lay before them; unfamiliar paths lay before them; and progress was a test of faith and a challenge of obedience. Only in "going forward" could Israel prove their faith and the Power of their God. The part’ed waves before them, the cloud, were symbols of the Divine Presence over and about them; the definite t~nion with their leader in baptism in the cloud and in the sea; the destruction of enemies; and the song of deliverance.

The New Year is a challenge to us to advance. "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." And the pathway of the past has been strewn with the fragrant flowers of His gracious Providence and illumined by the brightness of our Redeemer’s Presence. The past year has had its blessings and triumphs. But we dare not rest satisfied there. As our bodies are replenished by the fresh food of each new day even so must our spiritual life be renewed by further gifts of grace and continued consecrated service.

In every walk of life we have to beware of stagnation, to guard against the danger of being satisfied with present progress and attainment. "In the last days, your old men shall dream dreams." And dreams usually link with the past, and we are glad for those whose days of enforced inactivity are enriched by the memory of glad experiences and glorious victories in the days which have been. "And your young men shall see visions" is a promise that there would be those among the people of God whose incentive would be toward the future and the newer challenge of life.

There is the important and essential question of our individual progress in the divine life. Are we stationary Christians? Or are we growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? Are we resting in the past, or reaching forth to the prize of our high calling of God in Christ Jesus? As we measure our height or test our weight physically, so should we make a record of our spiritual advancement, and where there is deficiency remove the cause and accept the challenge of this New Year.

There is the further important question of the progress of the Church. It is not a static body. It must advance, or it will retreat. When it ceases growing it begins to die! It cannot rest in the progress of past days. It must be inspired to fresh endeavor, challenged to new tasks and new triumphs.

There must be increasing delight in the worship service of the Church. That of the family under the direction of the Great Head of the body. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together is an exhortation to which church members must give more heed. Where "two or three are gathered in His name" there will He be in their midst. That, surely, is encouragement for those who are scattered abroad, away from congregations of larger numbers, to meet and remember Him. The Devil scores a great victory when he causes church members to neglect the worship of the Lord’s Day. Faithfulness in this sacred privilege will strengthen for every other phase of the Christian life.

There must be a going forward in more willing sacrifice for the support of the Lord. He loves the cheerful giver! But how few give in spirit. Financially, church members possess the means to carry on the work of the Church in the most efficient manner, with the assurance of glorious triumphs. But because of failure to give proportionally, systematically and regularly, the work is hindered. Let the New Year bring with it to us a great purpose to make our giving a definite transaction with the Lord. Let every one of you lay by in store, as the Lord has prospered him," is the Divine instruction given by Paul (1 Cor. 16:2). The "fields’ are white to harvest" the golden grain of precious souls. Shall we "go forward" here or shall we "stand still" as we have generally done in the past. Let me urge that every church plan now to carry the glad message to "regions beyond" in 1938. Have you planned for at least one mission meeting this year? If not do so at once! The church is ordained to be the "pillar and ground (support) of the truth." How about it, brother?

We need to make advance in definitely seeking after others for the Lord. We want the family to grow! We are all in contact with those who need the Savior. Loved ones, friends, companions, neighbors, present to us opportunity of personal service. We are responsible for our influence telling on their lives for Christ. Public preaching may not move them. Personal prayerful interest and effort are much harder to resist.

The New Year demands of us a fuller consecration of life to the Savior Who redeemed us. He seeks our best. Less than that is unworthy of us and unfair to Him. We may not be able to bring some costly gift, some talent which, out in the world, would bring us fame and favor. But we can give ourselves to Him. And He can take the humblest life and fill it with the Divine Spirit, and make it a mighty instrument for His own purpose and glory. But we are to "present ourselves unto God." We are exhorted to "present your bodies a living sacrifice." Have we done that?

In conclusion, for all cannot be written or said on a subject so vital, may we "put on the whole armor of God," and go out to do battle for, and under the leadership of, our Lord, Jehovah. May we set our hearts like steel, turning neither to the right nor left, nor looking back, but pressing onward to the goal. Our task is great, but the endeavor is worthy of our very best efforts; the accomplishment so full of reward, as to merit the sacrifice and service of every soul. In view of this shall we not exclaim with the Apostle of old:

"Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before, I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13, 14). Let us "work for the night cometh, when no man can work." "Let us run with patience the race set before "Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might." "Awake, thou that sleepeth, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." May we ever hear the Eternal Voice say: "Speak—that they go forward"!

If by these feeble efforts, some soul or church have been moved to a greater sense of duty and activity in the service of our dear Master, then I shall have accomplished my purpose.