Exodus 14:15, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.’” (CSB)
Introduction: Breaking the Sound Barrier
In 1947, test pilot Chuck Yeager prepared for another attempt at breaking the sound barrier. Most pilots believed it was impossible—planes shook violently as they approached the speed of sound. The natural instinct was always the same: pull back.
What many don’t know is that Yeager had broken ribs at the time. He had fallen off a horse the day before. He almost quit. He felt defeated. But he returned the next day anyway.
As Yeager approached Mach 1, the shaking intensified. Everything inside him said, “Pull back… retreat… stop this.” But that day, instead of stepping back, Yeager pushed forward, and the moment he broke through, the shaking stopped. Peace on the other side of turbulence.
The Christian life is just like that. At the very moment God is calling us forward, the “plane” of our life shakes. And like Israel, everything inside us wants to retreat to the old ways—the familiar patterns, the former Egypts.
But God’s word still stands:
“Tell the Israelites to go forward.”
I. OUR JOURNEY BEGINS IN EGYPT, And Egypt Always Calls Us Back
Israel in Egypt symbolizes humanity in sin—trapped in a way of life we cannot free ourselves from.
Exodus 3:7 (CSB)
“I have observed the misery of My people in Egypt… I know about their sufferings.”
God sees our bondage and moves to deliver.
But here’s the theme we’ll see over and over:
Every time God moved them deeper into their calling, Israel was tempted to default to their old ways.
Egypt was terrible—yet familiar.
And sometimes *familiar misery feels safer than unknown freedom.
II. SALVATION BEGINS UNDER AND THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB, But the Old Mindset Follows
The Passover Lamb marked their deliverance.
Exodus 12:13 (CSB)
“The blood… will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you.”
This is grace. Not effort. Not performance.
But notice this: though they left Egypt physically, Egypt did not leave their hearts immediately.
Old ways cling.
Past patterns follow.
Familiar sins whisper to us.
Even after salvation, we are tempted to live like we’re still in Egypt.
III. THROUGH THE WATERS AND THE CLOUD: But the Pull of the Past Remains
A. Through the Red Sea: Baptism and the Pressure to Retreat
1 Corinthians 10:1–2 (CSB)
“…all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”
At the Red Sea, Israel panicked:
Exodus 14:11–12 (CSB)
“Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? …It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians.”
There it is: the default to the old ways.
Under pressure, Israel said,
“We should have stayed slaves.”
And yet God speaks:
Exodus 14:15–16 (CSB)
“Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.”
They imagined returning to the graves of Egypt, but God wanted to lead them through the watery grave of the Red Sea, where Egypt was washed away! This is like our burial with Christ by baptism in his name.
Their first major step after salvation came with the temptation to return to old thinking.
And so does ours.
B. Through the Cloud—The Spirit Leads, but Self-Reliance Pulls Back
Exodus 13:21 (CSB)
“The LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them…”
The Spirit was guiding them,
but the temptation was to trust their instincts instead:
Where are we going?
How long will this take?
Are we sure we shouldn’t go back?
Every stage of guidance exposes our desire to take control again—
to return to our old way of managing life.
IV. THE WILDERNESS: The Classroom Where Defaults Are Exposed
Every wilderness story in Exodus echoes the same pattern:
New test ? Old temptation ? God’s new provision
Let’s walk through them.
1. Marah: The Default of Complaining
Exodus 15:23–24 (CSB)
“They could not drink the water because it was bitter…
So the people grumbled against Moses.”
God responds:
Exodus 15:25 (CSB)
“The LORD showed him a tree. When he threw it into the water, the water became drinkable.”
The tree foreshadows the cross;
where Christ enters our bitterness and heals.
But notice the pattern:
New challenge ? old default (grumbling).
2. Manna: The Default of Discontent
Exodus 16:3 (CSB)
“If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt… We sat by pots of meat…”
They idealized Egypt.
Old ways suddenly seemed attractive.
Exodus 16:4 (CSB)
“I am going to rain bread from heaven for you…”
God gives new provision;
but Israel wants old memories.
3. Water from the Rock: The Default of Fear and Doubt
Exodus 17:3 (CSB)
“Why did you ever bring us up from Egypt?”
There it is again.
The “Egypt default.”
Exodus 17:6 (CSB)
“Strike the rock, and water will come out…”
God reveals Himself as the Rock; Christ Himself.
But the pattern remains:
New pressure ? old thinking.
4. At the Border of the Promised Land: The Default of Unbelief
When the spies return, fear takes over.
Numbers 14:3–4 (CSB)
“Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”
Imagine standing at the edge of God’s promise…
and wanting to run back to slavery.
Only Joshua and Caleb refused:
Numbers 14:8–9 (CSB)
“If the LORD is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land…
Don’t be afraid… the LORD is with us.”*
> They didn’t deny the giants.
> They denied the default.
This is key:
God wasn’t trying to get Israel out of Egypt; He was trying to get Egypt out of Israel.
V. GOD’S WORD TODAY: “GO FORWARD”
This is God’s word to the shaking believer, to the discouraged Christian, to the weary disciple:
“Tell the Israelites to go forward.”
Forward requires:
* courage
* trust
* obedience
* Spirit dependency
* letting go of old identities and patterns
Forward is not a feeling—it's a decision.
VI. PRACTICAL WAYS TO MOVE FORWARD IN YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE
Here’s where the rubber meets the road.
These steps help break the pattern of defaulting back to old ways:
1. IDENTIFY YOUR DEFAULTS
Ask honestly:
* What do I run to when I’m stressed?
* What sin do I lean toward when I’m tired?
* What identity do I regress into when afraid?
You cannot defeat what you will not name.
2. REPLACE OLD HABITS WITH NEW RHYTHMS
Like manna, grace is daily.
You move forward by building:
* daily Scripture reading
* daily prayer
* weekly worship
* anchoring practices that ground your soul
Forward happens through habits.
3. EMBRACE SMALL OBEDIENT STEPS**
God didn’t ask Israel to sprint;
just to step.
Ask: What is the one step God is calling me to take this week?
4. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH “JOSHUA AND CALEB” VOICES
Get around people who:
* speak faith
* challenge your fears
* tell you God is able
* refuse to let you return to Egypt
You need companions of courage.
5. SURRENDER CONTROL DAILY TO THE SPIRIT
Forward is impossible in the flesh.
Pray each morning:
“Holy Spirit, lead me today.
Guide me in Your cloud.
Help me not to default to my old ways.”
Conclusion: Break the Barrier
When Yeager pushed through Mach 1, the world changed.
History changed.
A boundary was crossed.
But it only happened because he pressed forward when everything said to retreat.
Some of you are right at the edge of breakthrough—but the shaking is intense.
The turbulence is real.
The temptation to return to old ways is strong.
But the Lord says to you:
“Go forward.”
Not back to Egypt.
Not back to old patterns.
Not back to old identities.
Not back to old fears.
Forward into healing.
Forward into holiness.
Forward into maturity.
Forward into calling.
Forward into the promises of God.
Forward in Christ.
Go forward.
Amen.
Just tell me!
