Faith in Hardship: Remembering God's Miracles
Summary
In this sermon, I discussed the importance of faith and remembering God's past miracles in our lives, especially during times of hardship or "dry places". I used the story of the Israelites in Exodus as an example, highlighting how they often forgot God's past miracles when they faced new challenges. I emphasized that God is always present and ready to help, even when we feel alone or abandoned. I also stressed the importance of baptism as a symbol of faith and renewal, and encouraged those who have not been baptized to consider doing so.
Key takeaways:
- Remembering God's past miracles can help us maintain faith during difficult times [ 42:33]
- God is always present and ready to help, even when we feel alone or abandoned [ 44:54]
- Baptism is a symbol of faith and renewal, and is an important step for believers [ 45:36]
- Dry places in life can cause us to forget God's past miracles and focus only on our current struggles [ 23:19]
- We should strive to maintain faith and trust in God, even when facing challenges [ 46:47]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 17 [07:40]
2. Exodus 17:4-6 [39:17]
3. Exodus 17:5-6 [41:16]
Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of Moses' staff in Exodus 17?
2. How did the people of Israel react when water gushed out from the rock?
3. What was the reaction of Moses when God asked him to go out in front of the people?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the act of water gushing out from the rock symbolize in the context of God's provision?
2. How does Moses' obedience to God's command reflect his faith and trust in God?
3. What does the reaction of the Israelites to the miracle of water from the rock reveal about their understanding of God's power and provision?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a situation in your life where you felt like Moses, being asked by God to do something that seemed illogical or risky? How did you respond?
2. How can you demonstrate your trust in God's provision in a practical way this week, especially in an area where you're currently experiencing scarcity or lack?
3. What is one way you can remind yourself of God's faithfulness and provision in your life, similar to how Moses' staff served as a reminder for him?
4. Can you think of a time when you witnessed God's provision in an unexpected way, similar to water gushing out from the rock? How did that experience impact your faith?
5. How can you encourage someone in your life this week who may be doubting God's ability to provide for their needs?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Presence in Dry Places
In our spiritual journey, we often encounter dry places - moments of hardship, doubt, or despair. Yet, it is in these dry places that God's presence is most profound. He is the wellspring of life, ready to quench our spiritual thirst and renew our faith. His love and grace are constant, even when we feel lost or abandoned ([42:06]).
Psalm 63:1 - "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry. How did God reveal His presence to you during this time?
Day 2: God's Provision in the Wilderness
God's provision is not limited by our circumstances. Just as He provided manna and quail for the Israelites in the wilderness, He provides for our needs in unexpected and miraculous ways ([20:41]).
Exodus 16:15 - "When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, 'It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.'"
Reflection: How has God provided for you in unexpected ways during difficult times?
Day 3: The Danger of Selective Memory
In times of hardship, we often forget God's past faithfulness and focus only on our current struggles. This selective memory can lead to doubt and despair. We must remember God's past faithfulness as a reminder of His unchanging love and provision ([23:19]).
Deuteronomy 8:2 - "Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands."
Reflection: What are some ways you can actively remember God's faithfulness in your life?
Day 4: The Rock of Salvation
Jesus is our Rock of Salvation. Just as water flowed from the rock when Moses struck it, salvation flows from Jesus, our Rock. He is always with us, providing living water for our thirsty souls ([44:01]).
1 Corinthians 10:4 - "and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ."
Reflection: How has Jesus, the Rock of Salvation, quenched your spiritual thirst?
Day 5: The Call to Audacious Faith
God calls us to live in audacious faith, trusting in His power and love even in the face of adversity. This faith is not passive, but active, requiring us to step out in faith and trust in God's promises ([45:36]).
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Reflection: How can you live out audacious faith in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "Happy fall everyone, the calendar page has turned. A lot of great things God is doing and we're just so thankful that he lets us be a part of it." - 00:00
2. "It is amazing how our own human technology and human Ingenuity has solved many problems but when it comes to rain and to water we all still look up. We pray for rain, we say God please, I just want to be able to water my lawn again." - 05:40
3. "The staff was assigned to Moses, it was his memory, it was his token. It was his yes, yes, yes that's right I remember. I remember who God is, I remember who God was, I remember who God will always be." - 39:16
4. "We have a God who can and a God who cares. If you don't remember, you're going to be right back in that dry Place being the same stinky dry person you are right now." - 39:16
5. "Water is something you cannot exist without. You can go days without food but you can't go a week without water. Here in Southern California, we have a special relationship with water." - 02:49
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