A Time to Move – Greg Laurie Devotion – February 14, 2026

Biblical Context

The book of Exodus chronicles one of the most pivotal moments in salvation history: the liberation of the Israelite people from centuries of brutal slavery in Egypt. Authored primarily by Moses, as tradition holds, it recounts God’s mighty acts to fulfill His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. At this specific juncture in Exodus 14, the Israelites have just been miraculously led out of Egypt. However, their freedom is short-lived as Pharaoh, consumed by regret and anger, pursues them with his mighty army. The Israelites find themselves in an impossible situation: Pharaoh’s formidable chariots and soldiers bearing down on them from behind, and the vast, impassable Red Sea stretching before them. It is a moment of profound crisis, fear, and apparent hopelessness. Moses, their divinely appointed leader, is under immense pressure from a terrified people who are ready to blame him for their impending doom. In his distress, Moses cries out to the Lord, seeking divine intervention in a seemingly insurmountable predicament. This setting is crucial for understanding God’s response – a response that shifts the focus from passive waiting to decisive action.

Key Word Study

In Exodus 14:15, the Lord commands Moses, “Tell the people to get moving!” The Hebrew word translated here as “moving” is nasa’ (נָסַע). This verb carries a rich range of meanings, primarily signifying “to pull up, to set out, to journey, to depart, to march.” It implies a deliberate and active change of location, a departure from a static state to one of progression. In the context of the Israelites, it means to break camp, to leave their current position, and to embark on a new phase of their journey. It’s not a gentle stroll but a purposeful, immediate action in response to a divine command. The urgency embedded in nasa’ stands in stark contrast to Moses’ current posture of crying out and waiting. God isn’t asking for mere contemplation; He is demanding decisive advancement. This word underscores the theme of divine initiative requiring human cooperation, emphasizing that faith isn’t always about waiting for God to do everything, but often involves stepping forward in obedience, trusting that He will clear the path as we move.

A Time to Wait, and a Time to Move

Life, as the wise Teacher in Ecclesiastes reminds us, is a series of seasons, each with its own purpose. “A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:2–4 nlt), to name just a few. These timeless verses underscore the dynamic nature of existence, revealing that there is a divinely appointed rhythm to every aspect of our lives.

In Exodus 14:15–16, we encounter two more profound seasons identified by the Lord Himself: a time to wait and a time to move. This distinction is critical for our spiritual journey. The Israelites, trapped between the relentless pursuit of Pharaoh’s army and the insurmountable barrier of the Red Sea, faced an existential crisis. In this moment of extreme peril, Moses, their venerable leader, seemed to misread the season. He believed it was a time for protracted waiting, a time to continue his fervent intercession, crying out to the Lord for a miracle. He was in a posture of desperate prayer, perhaps expecting God to simply make the problem disappear from afar.

However, God, in His infinite wisdom and perfect timing, intervened not with a comforting whisper, but with a direct and challenging command that reshaped Moses’ understanding of faith and action. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground’” (Exodus 14:15–16 nlt). God was essentially saying, “Moses, you’ve prayed enough about this specific situation. The time for waiting for Me to act on your behalf in *this way* is over. The time for *you* to act in obedience is now.”

Discerning God’s Direction: Waiting vs. Moving

Knowing precisely when to wait and when to move is undoubtedly one of the most challenging, yet crucial, aspects of discipleship. Waiting is an indispensable spiritual discipline. It often involves a season of deep prayer, patient listening, and trusting in God’s sovereignty. As the apostle Paul wisely instructs us, “Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 nlt). This continuous communion with God is the lifeline of our faith, sustaining us through every season, whether we are waiting or moving.

However, the narrative of Moses at the Red Sea illuminates a profound truth: there comes a distinct point when our prolonged prayer concerning a particular issue transitions. It is then that we don’t need to pray about something anymore; instead, we need to act—that is, in the way that God would have us move. This is not to say we stop praying entirely, but rather that our prayers shift from asking God to do *something for us* to asking God to empower *us to do our part* in obedience to His clear leading.

Consider, for example, a couple grappling with deep-seated issues in their marriage. The husband, in his earnestness, might be praying fervently for his wife to change, believing that her transformation is the key to their marital restoration. While prayer for a spouse is vital, there might come a time when God prompts him to alter his prayer. Perhaps his prayer should become, “Lord, help me to be the godly person You want me to be. Help me to do my part.” This shifts the focus from demanding change in another to embracing personal responsibility and obedience. His wife, of course, needs to pray the very same transforming prayer, recognizing her own part in the covenant.

Or perhaps you have been deeply wronged or profoundly offended by someone. Maybe their actions have wounded you, insulted your character, or betrayed your trust. Your heart’s desire is to extend forgiveness, and you have earnestly prayed about it, wrestling with the pain and injustice. The spiritual journey often leads us to a point where continued prayer alone is insufficient. Now, it is time to *do* it. It doesn’t matter whether you are currently feeling the emotions of forgiveness, whether the sting of the hurt has completely vanished. Just do it. Take that definitive step of obedience. The profound truth often revealed in these moments is that the healing emotions, the sense of release and peace, most likely will follow when you take that courageous step of obedience, allowing God’s grace to complete what your will has initiated.

What about those cherished friends or beloved family members for whom you’ve been praying for salvation for years and years? You’ve lifted them before the Lord countless times, longing for their eternal well-being. But in your season of prayer, have you taken the concurrent step of sharing the gospel with them? Perhaps it is their moment to come to Christ, a divine appointment that requires your active participation. Certainly, keep praying without ceasing, but also do your part. Be the vessel through which God’s love and truth are communicated. Don’t let your waiting in prayer become an excuse for inaction when God is calling you to move.

The message God delivered to Moses at the Red Sea was unequivocally clear and powerful: “Stop crying to me. Stop praying about it. Get moving. The miracle is coming.” This was not a rebuke of prayer itself, but a divine redirection, an indication that the preparatory phase was complete and the time for action had arrived. God had equipped Moses, given him the staff, and now required him to exercise his faith by extending it over the waters.

When you are genuinely led by the Lord, when His promptings become clear and His direction unmistakable, make your move. Do not delay out of fear, doubt, or excessive analysis. There is indeed a time for earnest prayer, and there is an equally important time to step out in faith and move, trusting that God will part the waters as you obey. What would “making your move” look like in your life right now?