When God Says Move Forward
There are moments in life when faith is tested not by what we believe in our hearts, but by whether we are willing to move forward when everything around us says to stay still.
In Week 2 of our "Legends" series, we looked at the life of Moses — one of the most defining figures in the history of God’s people. Moses’ story reminds us that legends are not born because life is easy. Legends are made when ordinary people trust an extraordinary God.
Moses was born in a season of pressure. Pharaoh had given a decree that every Hebrew baby boy should be killed. It was a dark and dangerous time for the people of Israel. But even then, God had a plan.
What Pharaoh tried to destroy, God protected.
What the enemy tried to drown, God placed inside the palace.
What looked like the end of Moses’ story was actually the beginning of Israel’s deliverance.
Moses’ life teaches us a powerful truth: purpose is often born under pressure.
Many times, we assume pressure means God has forgotten us. But pressure does not cancel purpose. In Moses’ case, the pressure surrounding his birth was connected to the purpose God had placed on his life.
The enemy has always tried to attack purpose at birth. He tries to discourage people before they step out, intimidate them before they obey, and convince them that their story is over before God has finished writing it. But when God has purpose on someone’s life, there is no attack, no enemy, and no plan of darkness that can stop what God has ordained.
As Moses grew older, he struggled with identity. He was raised in Egypt, but he was Hebrew by blood. He lived in the palace, but he was connected to the pain of his people. Later, after running into the wilderness, God called him from a burning bush and gave him an assignment that felt far beyond his ability.
God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and lead His people out of slavery.
Moses did what many of us do when God calls us. He made excuses.
He questioned himself.
He questioned his ability.
He questioned his voice.
He questioned whether people would listen.
He questioned whether he was the right person.
But God’s response to Moses was not based on Moses’ confidence. God revealed Himself as, "I AM WHO I AM.”
That matters because the assignment was never dependent on Moses being enough by himself. The assignment was dependent on God being with him.
The same is true for us.
God does not wait until we feel qualified before He calls us. He does not wait until our confidence is perfect, our résumé is impressive, or our past is spotless. God calls us knowing exactly who we are, where we are, and what we have been through.
Our weakness is not a surprise to Him.
Our fear is not a surprise to Him.
Our past is not a surprise to Him.
If God calls us, He already knows the full story — and He still chooses to use us.
Eventually, Moses obeyed. Through the power of God, Israel was delivered from Egypt after more than 400 years of bondage. They saw miracles. They saw plagues. They saw the hand of God break the power of Pharaoh.
But then came the Red Sea.
In Exodus 14, the Israelites found themselves in what looked like an impossible situation. Pharaoh and his army were behind them. The Red Sea was in front of them. Fear was all around them.
The people began to panic. They complained to Moses and wondered if they would have been better off staying in Egypt.
Isn’t it amazing how fear can make freedom look like a mistake?
Sometimes people would rather go back to familiar bondage than walk forward into unfamiliar faith. The Israelites had been delivered, but pressure made them romanticize the place God had just brought them out of.
But this moment was necessary. It revealed the kind of leader Moses needed to become. A leader who could stand when people complained. A leader who could hear God’s voice above the noise of fear. A leader who could obey even when everyone else was panicking.
Then God gave Moses the command:
“Tell the Israelites to move on.”
That command still speaks to us today.
There comes a time when we have to move on from fear.
Move on from excuses.
Move on from insecurity.
Move on from delay.
Move on from the past.
Move on from the place God already delivered us from.
God told Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea. Moses obeyed, and the waters divided. What looked like a dead end became a doorway. What looked like an obstacle became an entrance. What looked impossible became the path of deliverance.
Only God can turn a sea into a sidewalk.
The miracle was not released while the people were panicking. The miracle was not released while Moses was making excuses. The miracle was released when Moses obeyed the word of the Lord.
That is the power of obedience.
Faith leads to obedience.
Obedience leads to breakthrough.
Breakthrough gives God the glory.
Maybe today you feel like Moses. Maybe you feel unqualified, unsure, or afraid. Maybe you feel like your past is too messy, your confidence is too low, or your situation is too complicated.
But God is not asking if you feel ready. He is asking if you will obey.
Your next step may not be easy, but it may be necessary. For some, that step may be forgiveness. For others, it may be surrender. For others, it may be serving, giving, praying again, trusting again, or stepping into the calling God has placed on your life.
And for some, the next step is baptism.
Baptism is a step of obedience. It is a public declaration that says, “God, I am all in.” It does not mean you understand everything. It does not mean you have every answer. It means you trust Jesus enough to follow Him.
Just like God told Israel to move forward, He may be speaking the same word over your life today.
Move forward.
Move forward from fear.
Move forward from excuses.
Move forward from shame.
Move forward from delay.
Move forward from the place God already delivered you from.
Because legends are not made by staying still in fear. Legends are made when they trust God enough to move forward.
Faith leads to obedience. Obedience leads to breakthrough. Breakthrough gives God the glory.
Call to Action
Are you ready to take your next step?
Join us at Ignite Miami as we continue our Legends series and discover how God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purpose.
In Week 2 of our "Legends" series, we looked at the life of Moses — one of the most defining figures in the history of God’s people. Moses’ story reminds us that legends are not born because life is easy. Legends are made when ordinary people trust an extraordinary God.
Moses was born in a season of pressure. Pharaoh had given a decree that every Hebrew baby boy should be killed. It was a dark and dangerous time for the people of Israel. But even then, God had a plan.
What Pharaoh tried to destroy, God protected.
What the enemy tried to drown, God placed inside the palace.
What looked like the end of Moses’ story was actually the beginning of Israel’s deliverance.
Moses’ life teaches us a powerful truth: purpose is often born under pressure.
Many times, we assume pressure means God has forgotten us. But pressure does not cancel purpose. In Moses’ case, the pressure surrounding his birth was connected to the purpose God had placed on his life.
The enemy has always tried to attack purpose at birth. He tries to discourage people before they step out, intimidate them before they obey, and convince them that their story is over before God has finished writing it. But when God has purpose on someone’s life, there is no attack, no enemy, and no plan of darkness that can stop what God has ordained.
As Moses grew older, he struggled with identity. He was raised in Egypt, but he was Hebrew by blood. He lived in the palace, but he was connected to the pain of his people. Later, after running into the wilderness, God called him from a burning bush and gave him an assignment that felt far beyond his ability.
God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and lead His people out of slavery.
Moses did what many of us do when God calls us. He made excuses.
He questioned himself.
He questioned his ability.
He questioned his voice.
He questioned whether people would listen.
He questioned whether he was the right person.
But God’s response to Moses was not based on Moses’ confidence. God revealed Himself as, "I AM WHO I AM.”
That matters because the assignment was never dependent on Moses being enough by himself. The assignment was dependent on God being with him.
The same is true for us.
God does not wait until we feel qualified before He calls us. He does not wait until our confidence is perfect, our résumé is impressive, or our past is spotless. God calls us knowing exactly who we are, where we are, and what we have been through.
Our weakness is not a surprise to Him.
Our fear is not a surprise to Him.
Our past is not a surprise to Him.
If God calls us, He already knows the full story — and He still chooses to use us.
Eventually, Moses obeyed. Through the power of God, Israel was delivered from Egypt after more than 400 years of bondage. They saw miracles. They saw plagues. They saw the hand of God break the power of Pharaoh.
But then came the Red Sea.
In Exodus 14, the Israelites found themselves in what looked like an impossible situation. Pharaoh and his army were behind them. The Red Sea was in front of them. Fear was all around them.
The people began to panic. They complained to Moses and wondered if they would have been better off staying in Egypt.
Isn’t it amazing how fear can make freedom look like a mistake?
Sometimes people would rather go back to familiar bondage than walk forward into unfamiliar faith. The Israelites had been delivered, but pressure made them romanticize the place God had just brought them out of.
But this moment was necessary. It revealed the kind of leader Moses needed to become. A leader who could stand when people complained. A leader who could hear God’s voice above the noise of fear. A leader who could obey even when everyone else was panicking.
Then God gave Moses the command:
“Tell the Israelites to move on.”
That command still speaks to us today.
There comes a time when we have to move on from fear.
Move on from excuses.
Move on from insecurity.
Move on from delay.
Move on from the past.
Move on from the place God already delivered us from.
God told Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea. Moses obeyed, and the waters divided. What looked like a dead end became a doorway. What looked like an obstacle became an entrance. What looked impossible became the path of deliverance.
Only God can turn a sea into a sidewalk.
The miracle was not released while the people were panicking. The miracle was not released while Moses was making excuses. The miracle was released when Moses obeyed the word of the Lord.
That is the power of obedience.
Faith leads to obedience.
Obedience leads to breakthrough.
Breakthrough gives God the glory.
Maybe today you feel like Moses. Maybe you feel unqualified, unsure, or afraid. Maybe you feel like your past is too messy, your confidence is too low, or your situation is too complicated.
But God is not asking if you feel ready. He is asking if you will obey.
Your next step may not be easy, but it may be necessary. For some, that step may be forgiveness. For others, it may be surrender. For others, it may be serving, giving, praying again, trusting again, or stepping into the calling God has placed on your life.
And for some, the next step is baptism.
Baptism is a step of obedience. It is a public declaration that says, “God, I am all in.” It does not mean you understand everything. It does not mean you have every answer. It means you trust Jesus enough to follow Him.
Just like God told Israel to move forward, He may be speaking the same word over your life today.
Move forward.
Move forward from fear.
Move forward from excuses.
Move forward from shame.
Move forward from delay.
Move forward from the place God already delivered you from.
Because legends are not made by staying still in fear. Legends are made when they trust God enough to move forward.
Faith leads to obedience. Obedience leads to breakthrough. Breakthrough gives God the glory.
Call to Action
Are you ready to take your next step?
Join us at Ignite Miami as we continue our Legends series and discover how God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purpose.
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