1973. Is It Time To Stop Praying And Start Doing?

Here are the cliff notes.

The Egyptians are hot on the tail of the Israelites as they flee Egypt.

The Passover is over, the plagues are done, and now they're getting out of Dodge, and God's people are quaking in their sandals as they turn around and see the dust from the chariots from the Egyptians coming after them.

And they're quaking in their sandals because they don't have boots to quake in.

So what does God do? He gives them two different instructions.

In verses thirteen and fourteen, we get these words: "But Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear.

Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will perform for you today.

For the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever.

The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.'" Okay, first Mose says, "Don't be afraid.

Watch and see what God's gonna do.

He's got this.

Stand, see, and keep silent." Let's just admit it can be difficult to stop and do nothing and wait on God, especially if we think God's taking too long.

But we often jump ahead of God when we need to be patient.

But there's another side to the coin.

Even though those are all passive commands, the next verse takes them beyond panic praying to active doing.

Verse fifteen says, "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to me?'" In other words, why are you praying? "'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.'" Here's my point.

There comes a time when God says, "Enough praying.

Start doing what I've told you to do." Is that you today? The tension between praying and doing is not either/or.

Instead, it's recognizing when God has already given you the answer and you aren't doing it, you don't want to do it, it's too hard to do, or whatever.

Prayer keeps giving us the wisdom to move forward, but it's not an excuse to keep praying and ignore the obvious will of God.

Because sometimes hesitation is simply a sanctified form of disobedience.

Here's the great question: Is there an area where you've prayed hard and now you know what the Lord would have you to do, but you haven't done it? Why not do it today? Let's pray.

Here are the cliff notes.

The Egyptians are hot on the tail of the Israelites as they flee Egypt.

The Passover is over, the plagues are done, and now they're getting out of Dodge, and God's people are quaking in their sandals as they turn around and see the dust from the chariots from the Egyptians coming after them.

And they're quaking in their sandals because they don't have boots to quake in.

So what does God do? He gives them two different instructions.

In verses thirteen and fourteen, we get these words: "But Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear.

Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will perform for you today.

For the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever.

The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.'" Okay, first Mose says, "Don't be afraid.

Watch and see what God's gonna do.

He's got this.

Stand, see, and keep silent." Let's just admit it can be difficult to stop and do nothing and wait on God, especially if we think God's taking too long.

But we often jump ahead of God when we need to be patient.

But there's another side to the coin.

Even though those are all passive commands, the next verse takes them beyond panic praying to active doing.

Verse fifteen says, "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to me?'" In other words, why are you praying? "'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.'" Here's my point.

There comes a time when God says, "Enough praying.

Start doing what I've told you to do." Is that you today? The tension between praying and doing is not either/or.

Instead, it's recognizing when God has already given you the answer and you aren't doing it, you don't want to do it, it's too hard to do, or whatever.

Prayer keeps giving us the wisdom to move forward, but it's not an excuse to keep praying and ignore the obvious will of God.

Because sometimes hesitation is simply a sanctified form of disobedience.

Here's the great question: Is there an area where you've prayed hard and now you know what the Lord would have you to do, but you haven't done it? Why not do it today? Let's pray.