Moving Forward With God Together

How can we experience success in our lives?  In our work or ministry? Often, we think of our personal victory but have we ever considered that God also desires us to experience community victory?  That there is a victory to be found when we follow God together?  When we unite our hearts to seek God’s victory together?  There is something powerful about uniting to move forward together under God.

I believe God wants His people to move forward together even more.  Especially each local church.  As we consider Joshua chapter 3, there are 4 key insights we can learn about moving forward with God together.  The context of Joshua 3 was that Israel was camped on the eastern side of the Jordan River waiting for instruction to cross the river to take the Promised Land. 

DISCERN THE LORD’S LEADING TOGETHER

Joshua 3:1–4 (NIV) 3 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

It was recorded in v1 that “Joshua and all the Israelites…” listened and responded to God. Not just Joshua. Not a handful of the faithful. The entire nation moved as one.  When God’s people unite in obedience, heaven’s power is unleashed on earth.  This is why we must move together—united as a local church. One in heart. One in purpose. One in pursuit of God.  When leaders stand shoulder to shoulder, and members walk in step with their shepherds, something shifts. The Spirit begins to stir. God begins to move.  Unity isn’t just a virtue—it’s a vessel. And when our hearts beat together in surrender, God fills that vessel with His glory.

In v2, “When you see the ark…” - the Hebrew grammar places weight on the ark itself. The emphasis is unmistakable: watch God’s Presence.  The Ark of the Covenant was no ordinary object. It was a sacred chest, a throne of mercy, a vessel where God chose to dwell for a season. It represented His presence, His holiness, His movement.  In the wilderness, the Israelites didn’t move unless God moved. By day, a pillar of cloud led them. By night, a pillar of fire lit their path.  The pillar never left its place in front of the people (Exodus 13:21–22).  They watched it closely.  They broke camp only when the presence stirred.  They were trained to be alert, responsive, surrendered.

In the same way, we must move beyond passive watching but gain a posture of a God-chaser. Colossians 4:2 (NIV) “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” As a local church, we must be spiritually attuned - discerning what God is doing in our midst. Sometimes His movement is marked by peace. Sometimes by divine disruption. 

When we first purchased our church land in Brisbane, it wasn’t just a decision—it was a discernment.  The year before, I prophesied that God would move us into a new phase.  And He did.  This was accompanied by new growth, new excitement and new steps of faith.  Let us be a people who watch the ark.  Who move when God moves. Who chase His presence with holy urgency.

In verse 3, a clear command was given to Joshua and the Israelites, “…you are to move out…”.  Not ponder. Not delay. Move. When God moves, we must move with Him.  Imagine being stuck while the pillar of cloud moves forward—God advancing, but we anchored to comfort or to other commitments.  For example, a 25-year house mortgage can feel like a chain.  That is why when Lai Ling and I bought our house, we chose one we could release quickly—so we’re free to follow God’s lead.  It meant committing well within our means.

Could we be holding unto a job that knots us up?  Perhaps extra family commitments that lock us down unnecessarily?  These things can quietly steal our availability for God.  Be careful not to grip the things of this world too tightly.  Be ready to move. Swiftly.

When God moves—He moves.  Divine opportunities don’t wait around.  When the call of God comes, we must respond.  Don’t cling to old ways, old traditions.  If God requires change—then change.  Don’t resist Him. Flow with Him.  Let us be a people who are light on our feet, heavy with purpose, and ready to move when God says, “Go.”

In verse 4, the Israelites were given a solemn warning: Do not come too close to the holy ark.  This wasn’t a casual caution—it was a matter of life and death. In 2 Samuel 6:3–7, Uzzah was struck down by God for touching the ark as it was being transported to Jerusalem. His intentions may have been noble, but his actions disregarded the holiness of God’s presence.

This is a sobering reminder. Do not rush ahead of God.  Do not presume upon His presence.  Be prayerful. Be discerning. Wait for God’s timing.  Give God the reverence He is due.  Negligence in following His lead can cost us dearly. But when we walk with a posture of holy fear—when we move with reverence and obedience— God grants success.  God releases victory.  Let us be a people who honour His presence, wait for His prompting, and move only when He moves.

PREPARE OUR HEARTS TOGETHER

Joshua 3:5 (NIV)  Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

The Israelites were commanded to consecrate themselves before a holy God.  They underwent purification rituals, not as a formality, but as preparation to encounter the divine.  We must realise that God uses holy vessels. He will use you if you set yourself apart for His purposes.  Kathryn Kuhlman once said she had to die to self before God could entrust her with the ministry of miraculous healing. The anointing flows through surrendered lives. Romans 12:1 (NIV) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

I am deeply blessed to have met those who clearly consecrated themselves before the Lord.  I have seen God’s anointing upon their lives.  Yes, God can use anyone—even the unconsecrated—but the depth and reach of that use is often limited.  Holiness expands capacity. Surrender sharpens the edge.

Let us purify ourselves as a church.  Let us set our hearts right.  Let us be ready.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior—finely honed, straight and swift—let us be equipped to fly far and true.  Get spiritually trained. Get sharpened.  Enrol to be equipped in God’s Word.  

I challenge each of us.  Set yourself apart. Die to self. Live for Him.  When the time is right, God will call.  The question is—will you be ready to be used?

Joshua stood before the people and declared with unwavering faith and expectancy, “Tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”  Not might. Not could. Will.  Lack of faith limits us.  But faith opens the horizon to the miraculous.  Smith Wigglesworth believed God for healing—and heaven responded. What and incredible legacy of faith Smith Wigglesworth left us.   William Carey, the father of modern missions, once thundered: “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”

You must believe in the call of God upon your life.  Do not waver.  Do not shrink back.  Have great faith.  Live with holy expectancy.  Trust that God will work through you—powerfully, personally, prophetically.  So I ask you:  Who will rise in faith? Who will commit themselves fully to God’s purpose?

The Lord is ready to do amazing things. Are you ready to believe?

LEADERS LEAD TOGETHER

Joshua 3:6-7 (NIV) 6 Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.  7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. ”

In Joshua 3:6–7, we see a powerful picture of spiritual leadership: the priests carrying the ark went ahead of the people, setting the pace for Israel’s journey into the promises of God. Leadership wasn’t passive—it was prophetic, bold, and faith-filled.

If you are a leader, set the pace. Don’t wait for the crowd to move—lead the charge. Step into the waters first. Trust God when the path is unclear. Your courage creates a pathway for others to follow.  As leaders, we carry the responsibility to go out ahead—not just in strategy, but in faith. We model surrender, obedience, and expectancy. We show what it means to move with God.

Thank God for every strong and faithful group of leaders in your midst. But let’s not settle in complacency. Let’s continue to grow, to stretch, to reach our fullest potential in Christ.

This is the season to rise. To lead with conviction. To walk ahead with the ark—not for applause, but for breakthrough. When leaders move, the people follow. And when we move with God, miracles unfold.  Let’s lead well. Let’s lead with unity. Let’s lead forward.

TAKE THE STEPS OF FAITH TOGETHER

Joshua 3:8 (NIV) Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’ ”

This was no gentle stream. The Jordan River, fed from Lake Huleh, surged 120 kilometers through the Sea of Galilee, plunging into the lowest place on earth—the Dead Sea, 393 meters below sea level. Its banks were steep. Its currents swift. And during flood season, it became a raging torrent.

For three days, over a million Israelites camped at its edge, watching the river roar. Impassable. Uncrossable. Unthinkable.  Then came the command: “Step into the river.”  Can you imagine the Levites? “You’ve got to be joking!”  Yet Joshua believed. The priests obeyed.  Faith doesn’t wait for calm waters.  Faith steps in while the river still rages.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one trembling, obedient step.  And that step—into the impossible—is where miracles begin.  As God speaks to you in this season, don’t wait for the flood to subside.  Take the step. Live the faith.   Stand in the river—and watch what God will do.

CONCLUSION

Let us move forward—not alone, not scattered, but united together with God.  Let us walk in rhythm with the Holy Spirit, not lagging behind, not rushing ahead.  Galatians 5:25 (NIV) “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  This is not just a gentle stroll—it’s a divine march toward victory.  When we align our steps with His, we step into the miraculous.  When we move as one, led by the Spirit, heaven’s power meets earth’s obedience.  And surely, we will experience the incredible victories of God. Not because we’re strong, but because we’re surrendered.  Not because we’re fast, but because we’re in step.  Because we are doing it together.

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Copyright©️2025 by Wilson Lim & Lai Ling Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.