Moving Forward
If we are going to be "out with the old, so we can be in with the new,” it will require:
A. Willingness to move forward
B. Willingness to embrace change
“Change never asks for permission.”
Our goal should be to get in stride with God, because that’s the only way we can be genuinely changed and move forward.
We need to settle in our hearts that God is always desiring to move us forward in Him.
The Hebrew meaning of forward — “journey by stages”
Numbers 33:1 (NIV) Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt…
Exodus 25:36-37 (NLT) The almond buds and branches must all be of one piece with the center stem, and they must be hammered from pure gold. 37 Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward.
Numbers 10:5 (NLT) When you sound the signal to move on, the tribes camped on the east side of the Tabernacle must break camp and move forward.
Deuteronomy 21:5 (NLT) Then the Levitical priest must step forward…to minister before Him and to pronounce blessings in the Lord’s name.
Ezra 5:8 (NLT) The work is going forward with great energy and success.
Nehemiah 9:19 (NLT) But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day…
Job 17:9 (NLT) The righteous keep moving forward…
Psalm 143:10 (NLT) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward…
Isaiah 58:8 (NLT) Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
Philippians 3:13 (NLT) …but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.
Hebrews 11:10 (NLT) And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
Titus 2:13 (NLT) while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
We need to remember that God will never call us backwards.
Jeremiah 7:24 (NIV) But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.
Hebrews 10:38 (NKJV) Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.
Why would God want to move us forward?
1. Moving forward is God’s way of dealing with our enemy
Exodus 14:13-17 (NLT) But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the people to get moving! 16 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. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed…”
Exodus 14:21-23 (NLT) Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! 23 Then the Egyptians…chased them into the middle of the sea.
Exodus 14:26-28 (NLT) When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians.” 27 So…Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea, not a single one survived.
If we would simply obey, God will take care of the rest.
2. Moving forward is God’s way of healing our pain
1 Samuel 15:34-35 (NLT) Then Samuel went home to Ramah, and Saul returned to his house at Gibeah… 35 Samuel never went to meet with Saul again, but he mourned constantly for him.
1 Samuel 16:1 (NKJV) Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill you horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I provided Myself a king among his sons.”
Is there anything or anyone you’re still mourning over today?
Mark 3:10 (NIV) For He had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch Him.
3. Moving forward is God’s way of redirecting us
Ruth 1:14 (NKJV) Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
Orpah means; “gazelle & stiffed-necked”
Ruth means; “friendship or compassionate friend”
Not everything that’s good in our present is meant to follow us into our future.
What or who do you need to kiss good-bye today?
4. Moving forward is God’s way of restoration
1 Samuel 30:1-8 (NLT) When David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid…they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. 2 They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. 3 When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, 4 they wept until they could weep no more. 5 David’s two wives, were among those captured. 6 David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God. 7 Then he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it. 8 Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”
What has been stolen from you that you need to recover today?
5. Moving forward is God’s way of unlocking our identity and calling
Matthew 4:18-22 (NIV) One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed Him. 21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And He called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed Him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
Could it be possible that God is wanting to unlock something in your life today?