Divine Detours: Trusting God Through Life's Challenges
Summary
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves on unexpected paths, much like the Israelites who were led by God through the wilderness to the Red Sea, rather than taking the direct route to the Promised Land. This detour was not a mistake but a divine strategy. God knew that if the Israelites faced war too soon, they might lose heart and return to Egypt. Similarly, God sometimes leads us on longer, seemingly more difficult paths to prepare us for the challenges ahead and to strengthen our faith.
As the Israelites journeyed, Pharaoh had a change of heart and pursued them with his army. This scenario can feel familiar when we face relentless challenges right after experiencing blessings. It may seem as though God is siding with our adversaries, but this is a test of faith. When the Israelites saw the Egyptian army approaching, they panicked and questioned Moses, expressing a desire to return to their old life of bondage rather than face the uncertainty of the wilderness.
Moses, despite his own fears, stood firm and encouraged the people to trust in God's deliverance. He declared that the Egyptians they saw that day would never be seen again. However, there was a missing verse in the narrative—a silent prayer from Moses to God, expressing his own fears and need for divine intervention. This teaches us that even leaders and those strong in faith experience fear and doubt. Yet, God’s response to Moses was clear: there is a time to pray and a time to act. God instructed Moses to lift his staff, promising that He would act once Moses took the first step of faith.
This story reminds us that God’s deliverance often requires our participation. We must act in faith, trusting that God will fulfill His promises. Our movement in faith can trigger God’s miraculous intervention. As we lift our "staff"—our obedience and trust—God moves powerfully on our behalf.
Key Takeaways:
- Divine Detours: God sometimes leads us on longer, unexpected paths to prepare us for future challenges and to strengthen our faith. These detours are not mistakes but divine strategies to ensure we are ready for what lies ahead. [00:38]
- Facing Relentless Challenges: After blessings, we may face relentless challenges that test our faith. It can feel like God is siding with our adversaries, but these moments are opportunities to trust in His plan and timing. [02:53]
- Leaders Experience Fear Too: Even strong leaders like Moses experience fear and doubt. This teaches us that it’s okay to feel afraid, but we must still act in faith and trust in God’s promises. [05:41]
- Time to Act: There is a time to pray and a time to act. God instructed Moses to lift his staff, showing that our actions in faith can trigger God’s miraculous intervention. We must be willing to take the first step. [07:51]
- Faith and Obedience: Our faith and obedience are crucial in seeing God’s power at work. As we act in faith, God fulfills His promises and delivers us from our challenges. Our movement in faith invites God’s miraculous intervention. [08:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Long Way Around
- [00:50] - Pharaoh's Change of Heart
- [01:34] - God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart
- [02:28] - Feeling Like God is Against Us
- [03:07] - The Israelites' Fear
- [03:46] - Moses' Encouragement
- [04:30] - The Missing Verse
- [05:12] - Moses' Silent Prayer
- [06:06] - Two Sermons
- [07:03] - Preaching with Fear
- [07:51] - Time to Act
- [08:09] - As for You, As for Me
- [08:40] - Faith and Obedience
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Exodus 13:17-18
- Exodus 14:5-17
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Exodus 13:17-18, why did God choose not to lead the Israelites through the land of the Philistines, even though it was a shorter route? How does this relate to the concept of divine detours? [00:11]
2. In Exodus 14:5-7, what was Pharaoh's reaction after letting the Israelites go, and what actions did he take as a result? How does this reflect the relentless challenges mentioned in the sermon? [01:02]
3. How did the Israelites respond when they saw the Egyptian army approaching, as described in Exodus 14:11-12? What does this reveal about their state of mind and faith at that moment? [03:07]
4. What was Moses' initial response to the Israelites' fear, and how does this demonstrate his role as a leader despite his own fears? [03:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might God have chosen to lead the Israelites on a longer path through the wilderness instead of the direct route? How does this reflect the idea of divine strategy in preparing us for future challenges? [00:38]
2. How can the Israelites' desire to return to Egypt when faced with challenges be seen as a metaphor for our own struggles with faith and comfort zones? [03:19]
3. What does Moses' silent prayer and God's response teach us about the balance between prayer and action in our faith journey? [05:41]
4. How does the concept of "lifting the staff" symbolize our role in God's deliverance and the importance of taking the first step in faith? [08:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was leading you on a longer, unexpected path. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience about divine detours? [00:38]
2. After experiencing blessings, have you faced challenges that made you question God's plan? How did you navigate those moments, and what can you do differently in the future to trust in His timing? [02:53]
3. Moses experienced fear despite being a leader. How can acknowledging our own fears help us grow in faith and leadership? What steps can you take to address your fears while still acting in faith? [05:41]
4. Consider a situation where you felt it was time to act rather than pray. How did you discern the right moment to take action, and what was the outcome? [07:51]
5. Identify an area in your life where you need to "lift your staff" and take the first step of faith. What practical actions can you take this week to demonstrate your trust in God's promises? [08:09]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to act in faith and trust in God's deliverance, especially when facing their own challenges? [08:54]
7. Reflect on a recent challenge where you felt God was more on the side of your adversaries. How can you shift your perspective to see these moments as opportunities to strengthen your faith? [02:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Detours: God's Strategic Pathways
In life, we often find ourselves on unexpected paths, much like the Israelites who were led by God through the wilderness to the Red Sea instead of taking the direct route to the Promised Land. These detours are not mistakes but divine strategies. God knew that if the Israelites faced war too soon, they might lose heart and return to Egypt. Similarly, God sometimes leads us on longer, seemingly more difficult paths to prepare us for the challenges ahead and to strengthen our faith. These divine detours are designed to ensure we are ready for what lies ahead, teaching us patience and trust in God's timing and wisdom. [00:38]
Exodus 13:17-18 (ESV): "When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, 'Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.' But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea."
Reflection: Can you identify a time when you felt God was leading you on a longer, unexpected path? How did that experience prepare you for future challenges?
Day 2: Trusting God Amidst Relentless Challenges
After blessings, we may face relentless challenges that test our faith, much like the Israelites who were pursued by Pharaoh's army after their escape from Egypt. It can feel like God is siding with our adversaries, but these moments are opportunities to trust in His plan and timing. When the Israelites saw the Egyptian army approaching, they panicked and questioned Moses, expressing a desire to return to their old life of bondage rather than face the uncertainty of the wilderness. These challenges are not meant to break us but to build our faith and reliance on God, reminding us that His ways are higher than ours. [02:53]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity to deepen your trust in God's plan?
Day 3: Leaders Experience Fear Too
Even strong leaders like Moses experience fear and doubt. This teaches us that it’s okay to feel afraid, but we must still act in faith and trust in God’s promises. Moses, despite his own fears, stood firm and encouraged the people to trust in God's deliverance. He declared that the Egyptians they saw that day would never be seen again. However, there was a missing verse in the narrative—a silent prayer from Moses to God, expressing his own fears and need for divine intervention. This reminds us that even those who lead and inspire others are human and need God's strength and guidance. [05:41]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt fear or doubt in a leadership role. How did you seek God's strength and guidance in that situation?
Day 4: The Time to Act in Faith
There is a time to pray and a time to act. God instructed Moses to lift his staff, showing that our actions in faith can trigger God’s miraculous intervention. We must be willing to take the first step. This story reminds us that God’s deliverance often requires our participation. Our movement in faith can trigger God’s miraculous intervention. As we lift our "staff"—our obedience and trust—God moves powerfully on our behalf. [07:51]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to take a step of faith? What action can you take today to demonstrate your trust in Him?
Day 5: Faith and Obedience: Inviting God's Power
Our faith and obedience are crucial in seeing God’s power at work. As we act in faith, God fulfills His promises and delivers us from our challenges. Our movement in faith invites God’s miraculous intervention. The story of Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea illustrates that God’s deliverance often requires our participation. By lifting our "staff"—our obedience and trust—we invite God to move powerfully on our behalf, fulfilling His promises and delivering us from our challenges. [08:54]
Hebrews 11:29 (ESV): "By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned."
Reflection: Consider a promise from God that you are holding onto. How can you actively demonstrate your faith and obedience to invite His power into your situation today?
Quotes
now when pharaoh had let the people go god did not lead them by the way of the land of the philistines even though it was near for god said the people might change their minds when they see war and return to egypt hence god led the people around by the way of the of the wilderness to the red sea [00:04:24]
so this miracle now watch this the miracle is going to happen at the red sea but the red sea is not the direct route to the promised land so they are paying egypt the promised land is here and god takes them down by the red sea to bring them back up to the promised land has god ever taken you way out of the way [00:22:80]
god led them the long way around god told evil pharaoh go get them you ever feel like god is more on the enemy side than yours you ever feel like god is more on your unsaved employer's side than yours you ever feel like god is more on your unsafe co-worker side than yours you ever feel like god is more on your unsafe family member's side than yours [02:33:52]
when the people see the army coming after them they do what christians do today verse 11. then they said to moses is it because there were no graves in egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness why have you dealt with us in this way bringing us out of egypt is this not the word we spoke to you in egypt saying leave us alone that we may serve the egyptians for if we have been better for us to serve the egyptians than to die in the wilderness [03:05:28]
but moses said to the people okay so this is a congregation of israel it says the they in hebrews moses is like the pastor he says do not fear and that sounds like a good pastor y'all scared the pastor mounts the pulpit and says do not fear stand by and see the salvation of the lord [03:39:68]
moses is the confident preacher don't be afraid god's got this god's going to fix this these egyptians they're not going to mess with you somebody say amen no i'm talking about moses talking to the people so moses is confident god's got this thing but then we read god says moses why are you crying out to me [05:06:80]
i don't see where moses is crying out to god moses hasn't said anything to god all moses has said is what god would do for the people so we have a missing verse let me fill in the verse fear not god is going to deliver us missing verse thank god you better come up here and do something cause i'm up here [05:43:92]
i'm up here talking all this noise to these people how do i know that's the missing verse because god tells him and asking why you crying to me but he hasn't verbally said anything to god he's only verbally said something to the people so he's done like i often have to do from the pulpit tell y'all what god said while i'm having a private conversation in the middle of my sermon [06:08:56]
see see a lot of times up here there's two sermons going on one to you and one between me and him i'm saying god this is what you're gonna i'm gonna tell the people what you can do you better come up here and not make me look like no fool up in here two sermons going on here he says why are you crying out to me cause he was scared too [06:32:96]
he was preaching the truth but preaching it with his own internal fear because if the truth be told even when you want to gamble on god you're scared even when you quoting scripture to yourself you're scared even when you're telling yourself you're listening to christian radio you're listening to a cd you're hearing from god but you are still scared [07:00:80]
and the fear was not only in the congregation it was in the preacher so god has to even say to him why are you crying out to me now let me give you the translation moses there's a time to pray and there's a time not to stop talking to me stop don't don't keep don't keep repeating your fear to me stop talking why are you crying out to me [07:30:56]
you do what i told you to do you leave me to do what i'm supposed to do don't worry about me i got my part but i'm not gonna do my part till you do your part until you lift up the rod you won't see what i can do a lot of us haven't seen god move yet because god hasn't seen us move yet as for you you do what i told you to do and as for me i got my part but my part will only move after i see you move by faith [08:32:88]
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