Embracing Faith in Uncertainty: Trusting God's Breakthrough

Summer is a time of new rhythms and fresh opportunities, a season that invites us to reflect on the changes God brings into our lives. Just as the Israelites faced a dramatic shift when they left Egypt, we too encounter moments where we need God to come through—those “Hail Mary” moments when only divine intervention will do. The story of the parting of the Red Sea is not just about a miraculous escape, but about the journey leading up to that breakthrough. The Israelites, only three days out of slavery, found themselves panicking at the edge of the sea, forgetting the ten miraculous acts God had just performed to secure their freedom. This forgetfulness is something we all share; it’s easy to lose sight of God’s past faithfulness when we’re confronted with new challenges.

God calls each of us to steps of faith that we cannot accomplish on our own. These steps often come with fear, doubt, and the temptation to panic. Yet, spiritual growth is found in doing the next hard thing God puts in front of us, even when we’re “ankle deep” in uncertainty. Like Moses, we rarely get a three-year plan or even a glimpse of what’s ahead; instead, we’re invited to trust God in the unknown, to move forward even when the way isn’t clear. The cycle of faith involves taking a step, facing pushback, experiencing fear, and then, if we persevere, witnessing God’s breakthrough.

To help us remember God’s faithfulness, it’s important to develop rhythms—journaling answered prayers, sharing stories, or simply pausing to reflect. These practices anchor us in God’s past provision and prepare us for future steps of faith. Whether your next step is a bold act of generosity, serving in a new way, sharing your faith, or simply starting a new spiritual discipline, God meets you in the discomfort and uncertainty. The miracles of the past are not just stories; they are reminders that God is still at work, inviting us to trust Him with the next hard spiritual step. As we move into this summer, let’s embrace new rhythms that keep us mindful of God’s faithfulness and open to the impossible things He wants to do in and through us.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Remembering God’s Faithfulness Prevents Panic When facing new challenges, it’s easy to forget the ways God has come through for us in the past. The Israelites, despite witnessing ten undeniable miracles, panicked just days after their deliverance. Developing habits that remind us of God’s past faithfulness—like journaling or sharing testimonies—anchors our faith and keeps us from spiraling into fear when the next crisis comes. Don’t let the urgency of the present erase the memory of God’s provision. [41:49]
• 2. Spiritual Growth Requires the Next Hard Step True spiritual growth isn’t about comfort or following a predictable program; it’s about doing the next hard spiritual thing God puts before you. This step will often feel uncomfortable, costly, or even impossible, but it’s in these moments of dependence that faith deepens. Whether it’s generosity, serving, or sharing your faith, growth happens when you step out in obedience, even when you’re “ankle deep” in uncertainty. [50:08]
• 3. Faith Is Exercised Most When the Outcome Is Unclear God rarely gives us the full plan in advance. Like Moses at the Red Sea, we often have to step into the unknown before we see God move. The substance of faith is trusting God when the way forward isn’t visible, believing that He will act even when circumstances seem impossible. The miracle comes after the step, not before. [47:32]
• 4. Breakthrough Often Comes After the Darkest Moment There’s a pattern in the life of faith: after taking a step, we often encounter pushback, fear, or even apparent setbacks. It’s usually darkest before daylight—right before the breakthrough, things can feel most hopeless. Persevering through these moments, rather than retreating, positions us to witness God’s power and faithfulness in new ways. [51:57]
• 5. New Rhythms Anchor Us for Future Steps of Faith Establishing new spiritual rhythms—especially in seasons of change—helps us remember God’s work and prepares us for what’s next. Whether it’s a Bible reading plan, a prayer journal, or intentional acts of generosity, these practices keep our hearts aligned with God’s purposes. As we enter new seasons, let’s intentionally build habits that remind us of God’s faithfulness and keep us ready for the next step He calls us to take. [43:10]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Summer, Seasons, and New Rhythms
• [02:10] - The Hail Mary Prayer Moment
• [04:00] - The Red Sea: Setting the Scene
• [06:00] - Biblical Geography and the Exodus Route
• [08:12] - The Israelites’ Panic and Forgetfulness
• [10:00] - Remembering God’s Miracles
• [12:00] - The Power of Spiritual Memory
• [14:00] - Developing Rhythms to Remember
• [16:12] - The Faith Cycle: Step, Pushback, Breakthrough
• [18:00] - Doing the Next Hard Spiritual Thing
• [20:08] - Real Faith in Uncertainty
• [22:00] - Breakthrough After the Darkest Moment
• [24:00] - Watch God Move: Stories from Compass City
• [26:01] - Taking Your Next Step and Closing Prayer

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “New Rhythms, Next Steps, and God’s Faithfulness”

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Bible Reading

Exodus 14:10-16, 19-22 (NIV)
> 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
> 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
> 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.”
> ...
> 19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
> 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

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Observation Questions

1. What was the Israelites’ reaction when they saw the Egyptians coming after them at the Red Sea? ([39:29])
2. According to Exodus 14:13-14, what did Moses tell the people to do in the face of their fear?
3. What specific instructions did God give Moses when the Israelites were trapped at the sea? ([45:19])
4. In the sermon, what are some examples given of “the next hard spiritual thing” that God might call someone to do? ([50:08])

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Israelites so quickly forgot the miracles God had just performed for them in Egypt? What does this reveal about human nature and faith? ([41:49])
2. The sermon says, “Real faith is trusting in uncertainty.” Why is it significant that God didn’t give Moses or the Israelites a detailed plan ahead of time? ([46:12])
3. The pastor described a “faith cycle” of taking a step, facing pushback, experiencing fear, and then seeing breakthrough. Why might God allow us to go through this cycle instead of making things easy from the start? ([51:57])
4. What is the purpose of developing new spiritual rhythms, like journaling or sharing stories, according to the sermon? How do these practices help us in our faith journey? ([43:10])

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Application Questions

1. The Israelites panicked and forgot God’s faithfulness just three days after being set free. Can you think of a time when you quickly forgot how God had helped you in the past? What was the situation, and how did you respond? ([41:49])
2. The sermon encourages us to develop new rhythms to remember God’s work, like journaling answered prayers or sharing testimonies. Is there a specific practice you could start this summer to help you remember God’s faithfulness? What would it look like for you? ([43:10])
3. The pastor said, “Spiritual growth means doing the next hard spiritual thing right in front of you.” What is one “next hard step” you sense God might be asking you to take right now? How do you feel about it? ([50:08])
4. When have you felt “ankle deep” in uncertainty, like Moses at the edge of the Red Sea? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([46:12])
5. The sermon mentioned that breakthrough often comes after the darkest moment. Are you currently facing a situation that feels especially dark or hopeless? How can you persevere and trust God in this season? ([51:57])
6. The pastor shared about pushback and fear after taking a step of faith. What kinds of pushback or doubts have you experienced after stepping out in faith? How did you handle them? ([51:57])
7. As you look ahead to this summer, what is one new spiritual rhythm or habit you want to try? How can the group support you in taking that step? ([43:10])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to share their “next hard step” or a new rhythm they want to try, and pray for courage and faith to move forward, trusting God for breakthrough.