…speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward…- Exodus 14:15

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” That word was sufficient guide. Suppose they had said, “Lord, we will go forward if the fiery pillar leads us forward, but not else.” What then? Why, they would have been rebels. We are to obey God’s Word as God’s Word. I heard a brother say some time ago that he should be baptized when it was laid home to him. I thought of what a father would say to his boy if he said, “Father, I shall obey you if it is laid home to me.” In all probability the child would have it laid home to him more feelingly than he desired. There are some disobedient children in the Lord’s family who, if they do not mind, will have scriptures laid home to them in a way they do not quite reckon upon. What have you and I to guide us but the word of the Lord? “Well,” says one, “I guide myself by outward providences.” Do you? You will get into a terrible maze one of these days. Jonah wanted to flee from the presence of the Lord, and therefore he went down to the seaside, and lo, he found a ship going to Tarshish. Might he not have said, “I must be in the way of duty in going to Tarshish, for no sooner did I go down to the wharf than I found a ship starting immediately, and a cabin vacant for a passenger. I paid my fare and walked on board at once. I had not to go off to the shipping-agent’s, and wait for the next liner, but all was prepared for me. Was not that a providence!” Yes, but if you get following providence, and turning aside from the Word, you may soon find yourself in the sea, and no whale prepared for you. Our way is clearly set before us in the Word of God, and that most sure word of testimony should be followed…True believers expect difficulties. It is ours to do what we are bidden to do, not to act according to fancied indications of providence. When the Lord said “Forward!” forward Israel must go, without a fiery cloudy pillar to cheer the way. Has not the Lord spoken? Who shall ask for plainer guidance? ~ C.H. Spurgeon

https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/1793.cfm