Moses and Miriam had hardly finished their songs of praise to God for redemption before the people began to complain. An important lesson for the redeemed to learn is that the earlier one surrenders sin and the more one surrenders of himself to God, the shorter is the wilderness period. The first time Israel neared the Jordan River and the Promised Land, they failed to cross. It was their disobedience that brought the punishment of the 40-year wilderness journey and their inability to enter the promised land. Had Israel surrendered to God at this point, her journey would have been over in about one month.
Parted waters do no one any good until one chooses to step into the way prepared.
Salvation waits at the completion of the crossing. Sanctification God prepares the land, but man must choose to enter. God removes the obstacles, and man must move forward. God gives the directions but man must follow explicitly. God opens the gate, but man must enter.