Moving On With God

Wilson Lim
13 minutes ago
13 min read

We are all on a faith journey with God. And in the end, what matters most is not how we began, but whether we finish well. Finishing well depends on one thing: how we keep walking with God day after day. How we keep moving forward with Him.

Yet many believers find themselves stuck—caught in a kind of spiritual paralysis. They’ve heard God. They’ve encountered God. They’ve even stepped out before. But somewhere along the way, they stopped moving. Something froze their faith. For some, it was a painful failure when they tried to do something for God and it didn’t go as planned. For others, doubts and fears crept in and quietly took over. And for many, they simply don’t know how to keep taking the next step with God.

But God never intended for us to stay stuck. He wants to move us forward—into maturity, into fruitfulness, into the very things He has called us to accomplish. To do that, we must learn how to keep moving with Him.

In this passage, we discover five key principles for moving on with God. The context is powerful: after more than 40 years of wandering, Israel is standing at the edge of the Jordan River. Joshua has been appointed to lead them into the promise. In Joshua 3:1–5, he prepares the people to step out in faith. And now, at last, they begin to move—one decisive step at a time—into God’s future for them.

MOVE WITH GOD

Make sure we follow God – nothing else

Joshua 3:6a (NIV) “… “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” …”

Why did the priests go ahead? Because the people were meant to follow. Joshua 3:3 (NIV) makes it unmistakable: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God… you are to move out from your positions and follow it.” The ark represented God’s presence. Israel wasn’t following a strategy, a personality, or a trend. They were following God Himself. We must do the same.

Our greatest danger is not outright rebellion—it’s quietly drifting into following our own desires, ambitions, or comfort.

Keep your eyes on God. Keep seeking Him. Our greatest danger is not outright rebellion—it’s quietly drifting into following our own desires, ambitions, or comfort. Israel didn’t follow “someone” or “something.” They followed God alone. We must resist the temptation to chase the latest Christian trend or copy what another church is doing. They may be doing good things—but the real question is: What is God saying to us? To our church? To our ministry? To our lives?

Hard questions we must ask ourselves

Are we following God—or just following our personal preferences?
When God moves, do we hesitate because we’re too comfortable with our house, our job, our lifestyle?
Has God shifted direction, but we’ve already locked in our own plans?

Perhaps the ark goes north, but we insist on going south. Are we too focussed on these: My goals. My ambitions. My timeline. Nothing can change it.

The call is simple and urgent. Are we moving with God? If we want to move with Him, we must learn to seek Him—to cultivate a life that pays attention to His presence. A life that listens. A life that watches. Because when our eyes are fixed on Him, one thing becomes clear: When He moves, we move.

Leaders have a responsibility to move with God

Joshua 3:6b (NIV) “So they took it up and went ahead of them.”

The priests—the spiritual leaders—didn’t wait for the people to move first. They stepped out ahead. They carried the ark and walked into unknown territory because that’s what leaders do: they move with God before others do. Joshua 3:3–4 (NIV) “When you see the ark… you are to move out… Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.”

The people had never travelled this path. They couldn’t discern God’s direction on their own. They needed leaders who were already listening, already watching, already moving with God. This is the weight of spiritual leadership. Leaders must walk closely with God so they can lead others in His way. When leaders follow God well, they become living examples—visible models of faith, courage, and obedience. Their lives inspire others to follow.

Leaders must keep one eye on God and one eye on the sheep—attentive to His voice, and attentive to the people entrusted to them.

It’s an awesome responsibility. Leaders must move with God in a way that others can follow. Leaders must keep one eye on God and one eye on the sheep—attentive to His voice, and attentive to the people entrusted to them. So we should thank God for our leaders. Who have been faithful. And we pray for them—because when leaders move with God, the whole community moves with God.

BE ATTENTIVE TO GOD’S LEADING

Be alert to God’s continuing instructions

Joshua 3:7 (NIV) “And the Lord said to Joshua…”.

God had already spoken to Joshua about crossing the Jordan. Joshua even told the people, “In three days you will cross” (Josh 1:11). By Joshua 3:2, those three days had passed and right at that moment, God spoke again. Joshua was listening. He stayed alert for God’s next instruction. For God often speaks progressively, not all at once. Hearing God once is rarely enough. In a variety of ways, He confirms, clarifies, and deepens His instructions over time. This is captured beautifully in Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Many believers hear God at the beginning but stop listening along the way. Then they wonder why things drift off course. The issue isn’t that God stopped speaking; it’s that they stopped listening. NASA has sent out many probes to explore our solar system, like the Voyager series. NASA maintains constant radio communication with their probes. The probes continually adjust their trajectory based on those signals. But if the receiver fails—even slightly—very soon the probe drifts off course.

The same is true spiritually. We stay on course only as we keep receiving God’s ongoing guidance. This is why God didn’t give us only a manual—He gave us a Guide. Scripture is essential, but the Holy Spirit is the One who leads us step by step. So keep your ears open. Stay attentive. Stay listening. When God speaks again, be ready.

God’s instructions become clearer as we move with Him

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.’ ”

In Joshua 1, God told them what would happen (cross the Jordan) and when it would happen—but not where or how. In verse 6, God revealed the “where” by telling them to watch where the ark went. In verse 8, God revealed the “how”: The priests were to carry the ark and step into the river.

God leads us step by step. He rarely gives all the details upfront. He starts with the big picture, then clarifies as we obey. The more we move with Him, the more He reveals. Abraham is the classic example. God first said in Gen 12:1 (NIV) “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” When Abraham travelled to Canaan, God spoke again “To your offspring I will give this land.” Then in Gen 13 (NIV) “All the land you see I will give you...” Then in Gen 15 God defined the boundaries. And in the same chapter, God revealed the timing for taking ownership of the land.

Clarity grows as obedience grows.

The pattern we see is this. First God spoke of a land. Secondly, God points out the land. Thirdly, God gives an idea of the scope of the land. Fourthly, God outlines the land as well as the timing. Step by step. Layer by layer. Clarity grows as obedience grows. So don’t panic when God hasn’t given you all the details. Some personalities—especially detail-oriented ones—get anxious when the full plan isn’t laid out. But God rarely works that way. If you don’t move, God won’t reveal more. Movement brings deeper revelation from God. Just as a car can only be steered when it’s moving.

Movement brings deeper revelation from God.

Why does God lead this way? Because He is forming something in us—trust and obedience. In June 1956, just days before his twenty‑first birthday, Loren Cunningham was praying in a small guest room in the Bahamas, asking God what he should speak on that evening. As he looked up at the plain white wall, God gave him a vision that would change the course of global missions. Loren suddenly saw what he later described as a “living map of the world.” He watched as waves crashed onto the shores of every continent—again and again—each wave coming further inland than the one before, until the continents were completely covered. Then the scene sharpened. The waves turned into young people. Teenagers. College students. Even children. They were everywhere—preaching on street corners, sharing Christ outside bars, going house to house, caring for the poor, and carrying the gospel to every nation. They came from everywhere and went everywhere. Then, just as suddenly, the vision ended. God gave him a vision. God didn’t give him a full blueprint. He gave him a vision—and as he moved, God unfolded the details until YWAM was formed and undertook its global missions until today.

TRUST THE LORD TO LEAD THE WAY

Trust in the provision and power of the Almighty God

Joshua 3:10 (NIV) This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.

God promised Israel that He Himself would drive out the nations before them—nations stronger, more experienced, and more battle‑hardened than they were. Humanly speaking, Israel had no chance. When the odds are overwhelming, our minds whisper: “Is God really able?” “Can He actually do this?” Or worse: “It’s impossible.”

But Joshua anchors their faith in one truth: “The ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth…” Not the Lord of Israel only. Not the Lord of the wilderness. The Lord of all the earth. He is Almighty. Nothing is too hard for Him. Nothing is beyond His reach.

Once Smith Wigglesworth was called to pray for a man who just died. The atmosphere was heavy with grief. Wigglesworth walked into the room and felt a fierce unshakable faith rise from within. He pulled the dead man’s body out of the bed. Propped the body up against the wall and declared with authority, “In the name of Jesus, walk!” Nothing happened. He stepped back, grabbed the body again and threw him against the wall, commanding life to return. Still nothing. The family grasped. Some thought he had lost his mind. Others begged him to stop. But Wigglesworth refused to back down. The third time, he lifted the corpse, slammed it against the wall and shouted, In the name of Jesus – Live!” This time, the body gasped, his eyes opened and stood to his feet – alive! The room erupted with shock and joy. The man lived for many years after that moment. Wigglesworth wasn’t reckless — he was utterly convinced of God’s power. His actions came from a deep, Spirit‑filled certainty that Jesus is stronger than death.

Trust God to lead us

Joshua 3:11 (NIV) See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.

Some believers believe God can do all things…but quietly wonder whether God will really lead them. But when God calls us to move with Him, He does not abandon us halfway. He does not lead us into uncertainty and then disappear. God promises in Isaiah 42:16 “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known… I will guide them… I will not forsake them.” He leads. He guides. He supports. He comforts. He provides. We are reminded in Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight.”

When we choose to trust Him and follow Him, He proves Himself the Great Shepherd. Faithful, present, and utterly dependable. We saw this when we planted the church in Brisbane—stepping out even though my work visa for Australia had only 3 months left. God led. God provided. God made a way. He always does.

STEP OUT IN FAITH

Faith receives God’s Word (v12-13)

Joshua 3:12-13 (NIV) ¹²Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. ¹³And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

Joshua delivered God’s instruction to the people—and they didn’t argue, negotiate, or complain. They received it by faith. Humanly speaking, the command made no sense. “You mean… step into a flooded river? Seriously?” But faith begins right here: receiving God’s Word even when it stretches us. Before we ever step out, we must first take God at His Word.

Faith acts upon God’s Word

Joshua 3:14–15 (NIV) ¹⁴So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. ¹⁵Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge…

Joshua and the priests were commanded to step into the Jordan River—a river that was no gentle stream. A few realities about the Jordan: It begins at Lake Huleh, runs through Galilee, and plunges down to the Dead Sea—393m below sea level, the lowest point on earth. Its banks are steep and deep. Near Jericho, the current is fast even in normal seasons. But in flood season—as in verse 15—the river becomes a raging, kilometre‑wide torrent.

For three days, Israel camped beside this impossible river. They watched it roar. They felt its spray. They saw its fury. And they knew: There is no human way across. Yet by faith, they acted. They broke camp. The priests lifted the ark. And they stepped toward the impossible. You can almost hear the Levites whispering, “Step into that? You’ve got to be joking.” But faith always begins with a step. The priests stepped forth into the raging river! And the miracle of God began!

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one obedient foot forward. As we obey, God moves.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one obedient foot forward. As we obey, God moves.

Years ago, friends of ours were informed that someone they knew was dying from a brain tumour. He was going to be operated on but the prognosis was not good. God prompted them to visit and pray for the man the night before. His relatives were gathered around him because this may be the last time to see him. Even though he was not a believer, he allowed them to pray for him. The next morning as the surgeons prepped for surgery, the last scan revealed that the tumour had disappeared. Although the man never turned to Christ, many of the relatives who were there did. Faith is not passive belief. Faith is obedience in motion.

Faith is not passive belief. Faith is obedience in motion.

Faith in action encounters God

Joshua 3:15–16 (NIV) ¹⁵Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, ¹⁶the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

Yet as soon as…” Those four words change everything. The moment the priests’ feet touched the water’s edge, God acted. Just imagine every step the priests took. Each time they stepped ankle deep into the water, the water subsided further. Until they reach the bottom of the river and the river dried up! Upstream—26 kilometres away at the town of Adam—the waters stopped. The river piled up. And suddenly, the impossible became a highway.

This is the pattern of faith. God opens the door after we step—not before.

This is the pattern of faith. God opens the door after we step—not before. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” We don’t wait to see before we step. We step—and then we see. When we move in faith, we encounter God’s power. When we obey, we experience His provision. When we step out, we discover He was already there waiting.

PERSIST IN FAITH

Joshua 3:17 (NIV) “…until the whole nation had completed the crossing…”

The priests didn’t just step into the Jordan—they stood there. Right in the middle of the riverbed. Holding the ark. Holding the line. Holding their faith. Until every man, woman, child, animal, and possession had crossed safely. That could have taken the entire day. Imagine the pressure. Were they tempted to worry? “What if the water suddenly comes crashing back?” “What if this miracle doesn’t hold?” But they didn’t flinch. They didn’t retreat. They persisted—because faith doesn’t just start; faith finishes.

Persistence in God is the difference between almost and fulfilled.

If we want to reach what God has called us to, we must persist in faith. Many people start well but give up too soon. They step out in faith… but they don’t stay in faith. They begin the journey… but they don’t endure to the end. And because they stop halfway, they never see the miracle God intended. Persistence in God is the difference between almost and fulfilled.

John Wesley understood persistence. A page from his diary reads:

• May 5 (AM): Preached at St. Ann’s — asked not to return.

• May 5 (PM): Preached at St. John’s — deacons said, “Get out and stay out.”

• May 12 (AM): Preached at St. Jude’s — barred from coming back.

• May 12 (PM): Preached at St. George’s — kicked out again.

• May 19 (AM): Preached at St. Somebody’s — deacons held a meeting and banned him.

• May 19 (PM): Preached on the street — kicked off the street.

• May 26 (AM): Preached in a meadow — chased out when a bull was released.

• June 2 (AM): Preached at the edge of town — kicked off the highway.

• June 2 (PM): Preached in a pasture — 10,000 people came to hear him.

If Wesley had quit on May 5… or May 12… or May 19…He would have missed June 2.

Persist in faith—because the miracle is often on the other side of endurance.

Don’t give up too soon. Keep persisting until you see the fruit. Keep standing until God completes what He started. Keep believing until God says, “Turn.” Hebrews 12:1 calls us to this kind of endurance: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Persist in faith—because the miracle is often on the other side of endurance.

CONCLUSION

Let’s determine to move on with God. By focussing on God. Paying attention to God’s instructions step by step with faith and obedience. Trusting Him for His provision. Stepping out to act in faith. With perseverance. And we will see the amazing things God will do.