Listen closely to what God said, “Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” Again, lets update that language, God is saying, “It’s time to quit praying and start moving!”

First Moses tells the people, “Shut up, stand still, and see what God will do”. Now God, Himself bluntly says, “Quit praying and get moving!”

Now, I can understand that kind of instruction. You don’t need to study Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic or Latin to understand what God is saying. “Get moving, now!”

While the millions of Israelites and all their flocks begin to move, God’s presence hinders the Egyptians and helps the Israelites. This presence, the Bible says, was a cloud of protection behind them in front it was a light and guidance as the tribes prepared to move forward.

God’s Presence Is Promised, Are We Partaking?

Did you ever think there are times when God tells us, “Hey, it time to quit praying?”

Why would He do that? Perhaps because sometimes we are using prayer as an excuse for inaction. We are crying out to God, but we are not willing yet to go with God. To go where God is telling us to go or do what He is tell us to do. So we remain inert and we “pray.”

The Hebrews then and very often us now, need a kick in the pants, a jump start and God gave it to them in the command, “Quit praying and get going!”

If there is one thing that characterizes Christians today it is the willingness to replace action with inaction, deeds with indecision and faith with fatalism. I hear it and see it all the time.

I just don’t know what to do. I’m just going to keep “praying” about it.

Well, God hasn’t revealed His will to me yet so I’ll just keep waiting till He does.

You know everything works together for good, so I’m just going let it all work out.

I’ve seen church members putrefy in the pew and I’ve seen missionaries flounder on the field. I’ve seen pastors petrify in their pulpits and I’ve seen churches stagnate on the street where they stand, because they just won’t do anything! They keep their prayer lists and they should, but they don’t move, they don’t go, they don’t attend services, they don’t participate in the great commission. They pray but they won’t put their feet to their own prayers. There is a reason Paul says, Put on the shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace.” It means the work of the Lord requires action.  

When we don’t do, when we won’t move, when we won’t act, when we don’t attend, then there is no sense of personal responsibility, no outworking of loyalty, no concept of a work ethic. If we don’t all get involved then the work of the Gospel, the call of the church won’t get done and in the end you as an individual or we as a church, just wither and die.

Quit praying and start moving! Yes, God tells you to.

And when you move understand this, believe this, trust in this, that you are moving in the power and protection of God’s presence.

Jesus said, John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless (alone): I will come to you.

Psalm 23 is a Psalm that celebrates and takes comfort in the presence of God

I have preached it at more funerals than any other Bible text but the place it meant the most to me was in a hospital bed when my wife LeeOra read it to me as I wondered whether the ulcer in my throat would stop bleeding so I wouldn’t die. I needed to know that God was there to comfort me. I needed to feel His arms of protection around me as real as I felt my LeeOra’s hand holding mine.

Read it aloud with me this morning, with the confidence and calm assurance that it was written to you the people of God for this time and age.

Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

We better stop keeping God at arms distance from our lives and hearts and begin to do just what the old song says, “Now let us have a little talk with Jesus, let us tell him all about our troubles, He will hear us when we cry, and he will answer by and by.”

If you desire the power of God’s presence, then you better walk and talk with Him. His presence is power and protection, but if we are to experience it then you must spend time with him, dwell with Him in the moments of our daily lives and then go with Him where and when He tells us to go.