Faith's Journey: Overcoming Trials with God's Guidance

 

Summary

In Exodus 14, we find the Israelites at a critical juncture, having escaped Egypt but now seemingly trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's advancing army. This narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual journey of new believers who have recently escaped the bondage of sin. Just as Pharaoh pursued the Israelites, Satan seeks to reclaim those who have turned to Christ. The enemy's strategy is to convince believers that they are entangled in their circumstances, unable to move forward in their faith journey.

The early stages of Christian faith are fraught with challenges, much like the precarious infancy of life. New believers often face opposition from family, friends, and society, which can feel like a wilderness shutting them in. These entanglements can take many forms, from societal pressures to doctrinal confusion. The devil exploits these vulnerabilities, hoping to draw believers back into old habits and sins.

However, the truth is that God has not abandoned His people. Just as He provided a miraculous path through the Red Sea, He will guide believers through their trials. The Lord's guidance is constant, and His plans are never thwarted by the enemy's schemes. The path of faith may not always be clear, but it is assured by God's promises. Believers are encouraged to hold fast to their faith, trusting that God will make a way where there seems to be none.

The trials faced by new believers are not without purpose. They serve to strengthen faith and prepare them for future challenges. Just as the drowning of Pharaoh's army instilled fear in the hearts of Israel's future enemies, overcoming early spiritual battles equips believers for the lifelong journey ahead. The assurance of God's faithfulness is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that He who began a good work will bring it to completion.

Key Takeaways:

- Spiritual Warfare and Liberation: Just as Pharaoh pursued the Israelites, Satan seeks to reclaim those who have turned to Christ. The enemy's strategy is to convince believers that they are entangled in their circumstances, unable to move forward in their faith journey. Yet, God’s deliverance is sure, and His plans are never thwarted by the enemy’s schemes. [05:51]

- Challenges of New Believers: The early stages of Christian faith are fraught with challenges, much like the precarious infancy of life. New believers often face opposition from family, friends, and society, which can feel like a wilderness shutting them in. These entanglements can take many forms, from societal pressures to doctrinal confusion. [07:14]

- God’s Guidance and Provision: Just as God provided a miraculous path through the Red Sea, He will guide believers through their trials. The Lord's guidance is constant, and His plans are never thwarted by the enemy's schemes. The path of faith may not always be clear, but it is assured by God's promises. [32:55]

- Purpose in Trials: The trials faced by new believers are not without purpose. They serve to strengthen faith and prepare them for future challenges. Just as the drowning of Pharaoh's army instilled fear in the hearts of Israel's future enemies, overcoming early spiritual battles equips believers for the lifelong journey ahead. [39:12]

- Assurance of God’s Faithfulness: The assurance of God's faithfulness is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that He who began a good work will bring it to completion. Believers are encouraged to hold fast to their faith, trusting that God will make a way where there seems to be none. [44:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - The Israelites' Predicament
- [01:08] - Pharaoh's Pursuit
- [02:44] - Spiritual Liberation
- [03:49] - The Enemy's Strategy
- [05:11] - Entangled by Circumstances
- [07:14] - Challenges of New Believers
- [08:21] - Early Dangers in Faith
- [10:03] - Household Opposition
- [12:38] - Societal Pressures
- [15:24] - Joining the Church
- [18:01] - Doctrinal Confusion
- [22:24] - Internal Struggles
- [25:06] - Special Trials
- [32:40] - God’s Guidance and Provision
- [39:12] - Purpose in Trials
- [44:14] - Assurance of God’s Faithfulness

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 14:1-4: "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so."

- Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the predicament of the Israelites as described in Exodus 14:1-4, and how did Pharaoh perceive their situation? [00:12]
2. How does the sermon describe the early challenges faced by new believers, and what metaphor is used to illustrate these challenges? [07:14]
3. According to the sermon, what is the enemy's strategy against new believers, and how does it relate to the Israelites' experience? [05:11]
4. What assurance does the sermon provide about God's faithfulness and guidance for believers facing trials? [44:14]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the narrative of the Israelites' escape from Egypt serve as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of new believers? [02:44]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that societal pressures and doctrinal confusion can entangle new believers? [08:21]
3. How does the sermon explain the purpose of trials in the life of a believer, and what biblical assurance is given for overcoming them? [39:12]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of God's promises in guiding believers through difficult circumstances? [32:55]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt "entangled" in your circumstances. How did you seek God's guidance, and what was the outcome? [05:51]
2. New believers often face opposition from those close to them. How can you support someone in your life who is experiencing this challenge? [10:03]
3. Consider a current trial you are facing. How can you hold fast to your faith and trust in God's promises during this time? [44:14]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of overcoming early spiritual battles. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith for future challenges? [39:12]
5. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness when you feel overwhelmed by life's difficulties? [44:14]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the enemy is trying to reclaim ground. What practical steps can you take to resist this? [05:11]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to trust in God's guidance and provision, especially during times of uncertainty? [32:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Warfare and Liberation
In the journey of faith, believers often find themselves pursued by spiritual adversaries, much like the Israelites were pursued by Pharaoh. This pursuit is a metaphor for the spiritual warfare that new believers face as they transition from a life of sin to a life in Christ. The enemy's strategy is to create a sense of entanglement, making believers feel trapped by their circumstances and unable to progress in their faith journey. However, God's deliverance is assured, and His plans are never thwarted by the enemy's schemes. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's power to liberate them from spiritual bondage and to move forward with confidence in their faith. [05:51]

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a circumstance in your life where you feel spiritually entangled. How can you actively seek God's deliverance and liberation in this area today?


Day 2: Challenges of New Believers
The early stages of Christian faith are often marked by significant challenges, akin to the precarious infancy of life. New believers may face opposition from family, friends, and society, which can feel like a wilderness experience. These challenges can manifest as societal pressures, doctrinal confusion, or internal struggles. The enemy exploits these vulnerabilities, hoping to draw believers back into old habits and sins. Yet, these challenges are opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. Believers are encouraged to persevere through these trials, knowing that God is with them every step of the way. [07:14]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific challenge you are facing as a new believer? How can you view this challenge as an opportunity for growth in your faith journey?


Day 3: God’s Guidance and Provision
Just as God provided a miraculous path through the Red Sea for the Israelites, He promises to guide believers through their trials. God's guidance is constant, and His plans are never thwarted by the enemy's schemes. While the path of faith may not always be clear, it is assured by God's promises. Believers are encouraged to hold fast to their faith, trusting that God will make a way where there seems to be none. This assurance of divine guidance and provision is a source of comfort and strength for those navigating the uncertainties of life. [32:55]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God's guidance more fully? How can you seek His direction through prayer and Scripture today?


Day 4: Purpose in Trials
The trials faced by new believers are not without purpose. They serve to strengthen faith and prepare them for future challenges. Just as the drowning of Pharaoh's army instilled fear in the hearts of Israel's future enemies, overcoming early spiritual battles equips believers for the lifelong journey ahead. These trials are opportunities for believers to deepen their trust in God and to develop resilience in their faith. The assurance of God's faithfulness provides comfort and strength, reminding believers that He who began a good work will bring it to completion. [39:12]

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How has this experience strengthened your faith and prepared you for future challenges?


Day 5: Assurance of God’s Faithfulness
The assurance of God's faithfulness is a source of comfort and strength for believers. It reminds them that He who began a good work will bring it to completion. Believers are encouraged to hold fast to their faith, trusting that God will make a way where there seems to be none. This assurance is not just a passive hope but an active trust in God's promises and His ability to fulfill them. As believers navigate the complexities of life, they can find peace in knowing that God's faithfulness is unwavering and His love is steadfast. [44:14]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively remind yourself of God's faithfulness in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your trust in His promises today?

Quotes

Israel was clean escaped from Egypt, not a hoof of their cattle was left behind nor foot of child or aged man remained in the house of bondage but though they were gone they were not forgotten by the Tyrant who had enslaved them they had been a very useful body of workers for they had built treasure cities and storehouses for Pharaoh compelled to work without wages they cost the Tyrant nothing but the expenditure of the Lash his exactions of forc Labor had grown intolerable to the people but the buildings erected had been a joy to the Lord of Egypt when they were quite gone Pharaoh woke up to a sense of his loss and his attendants felt the same so that they cried why have we done this that we have let Israel go from Serv us then they resolved to drive them back again and they thought it easy to do so for they said they are entangled in the land the Wilderness ha shut them in they knew that the Israelites had no spirit for war and they felt sure that they had only to overtake them and hurry them back like a drove of cattle they had found them such submissive servants that they expected to fit on them their Fetters again and rivet them forever perhaps their God had shot his last arrow and Egypt might capture his people again without fear of plagues thus men thought but the Lord thought otherwise [00:01:04]

Do not I speak to some at this hour who during the last few months have by the power of the Lord's gracious hand escaped out of the bondage of sin you've got clean away from your old Master with a high hand and an out out stretched arm has God brought you forth into Liberty you remember the sprinkling of the blood and the eating of the Pascal lamb and you are now on your way to Canaan but your former master and his friends have not forgotten you you were once a valuable servant to Satan and he will not willingly lose you some of you whom God has saved by grace could drink for Satan and lie for him and swear for him and Lead others into evil ways and you could do cheerfully other things which I need not mention which he always desires to have done in his kingdom you are a trained servant and knew your Master's way so as to answer his purpose better than most Servants of Satan usually serve him greedily and you were very eager nothing is too hot or too heavy for men who are thoroughly enthusiastic for evil sins that should be thought degrading are followed by men under the notion of pleasure and gayety a short life and a merry one is too often The Cry of persons who are preferring death to life the devil has The Knack of making his bondsmen boast of their freedom and they follow with eagerness that which is to their own loss and ruin poor slaves their slavery has blinded their minds thank thanks be unto God certain of you have lately fled from your former bondage but the point I'm to speak of is this the great Tyrant has not forgotten you and he designs in his heart your capture and re-enslavement he and his are continually looking for opportunities by which they may bring you again into the thraldom of evil fasten the manacles of habit upon your hands and fit the Fetters of Despair upon your feet by the gra of God I hope that the prince of evil and his helpers will be disappointed but they will leave no stone unturned to affect their purposes one of their hopes of driving you back is the belief that you are entangled by your circumstances and surroundings they conceive that you have got into serious difficulty through your conversion and that you cannot find your way out of your perplexity now the enemy says I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil the Pharaoh of the infernal regions thinks to drive the fugitives back again like a flock of sheep and notwithstanding all that God has done for them he hopes again to bring them under his yoke if Jehovah has brought you out his work will never be undone but the enemy's hope lies in his belief that you are hopelessly entangled by your present environment [00:02:44]

The early period of Christian faith like the infancy of life is crowded with dangers literally newborn life is so precarious that it is a wonder that any infant survives and infant spiritual life is so full of weaknesses and diseases that none would survive were it not for Almighty Grace hence the need of the special precept feed my Lambs it is our bound and duty to look well after beginners in the ways of God the moral mortality in our churches is mainly among the new converts if they survive the first years of Temptation they continue with us as a rule our church role shows that the leakage is through the unseasoned Timbers when they have conquered early fears and vanquished youthful wrong Grace will preserve their following years and make their virtues strong if we leave them without help and comfort in their beginning we cannot tell how much they will sin and suffer with the view of helping them I shall speak first upon one of our early dangers and secondly upon our security against that Danger first one of our early dangers is this we may become entangled in the land the Wilderness May shut us in that entanglement takes a great many shapes I will only hint at a few of them dealing with old friends is a frequent one the man is a new creature in Christ Jesus and since his friends find that he is so they trouble him his foes are they of his own household how is the youth to make an open confession of Christ before his Infidel father possibly the convert is a wife how is she to be a Christian if she is married to an ungodly husband our Earthly loves have great power over us and it is right that they should but herein comes a hindrance to spiritual life Satan says to himself ah he cannot break away from my kingdom for his brother his wife or his betrothed will keep him in my service it may not only be one member of the family but several May combine to draw back the half escaped one it may be parents brothers sisters friends of All Sorts will unite in their efforts to Jer the young Christian out of his faith and lead him off from the road of uprightness we hear much of the Salvation Army but alas there is an army of damnation too very zealous and crafty are these followers of the evil one cruel mockings accusations of hypocrisy Slanders and unkindness is are not spared to turn the young Christian from the right way because of household opposition Satan says he is entangled in the land the adversary thinks that you have not the courage to stand up against your relatives and will not dare to confess your lord before your wife or your father we shall now see whether the Lord has brought you out or whether you are running off on a mere whim of your own the devil will not be slowed to apply the test [00:07:14]

In some cases the entanglement is not so much that of the family as of society I have personally known one or two friends moving in high circles who have said to me as soon as I'm known to be a Christian my friends will cut my acquaintance I do not know what what I shall do when I have to visit at certain houses assuredly I shall have to run the gauntlet it has been a quiet pleasure to me when I have found that they have been banished from such Society altogether for it could never have been of any spiritual advantage to them and it might have proved a snare their loss was a real gain but oh how many are afraid of Sir John and of Lady Mary or of some wealthy neighbor these fine folks may be nothing very great after all but still weak hearts are all too apt to dread the loss of their patronage and are already enough to make a great Cross of being frowned out of their society in other circles the same difficulties occur the workshop has its trials as well as the drawing room ah says Satan the man came out and confessed himself a Christian the other night but I know where he works and there is not a man in the place who will sympathize with him he will be entangled in the land it happens that one begins in the morning with a joke a second comes on with an oath a third follows suit with a sharp and bitter observation all day long they give the new convert such handfuls of mud as they can find and the hope of the evil one is that thus he will be forced back on his old ways the same thing happens on the farm or on board ship or in the Barrack room old companions want to have our society and are not pleased with the silent rebuke which is implied in our separating from them you know more about this than I do but I wonder not at Satan saying they are entangled in the land the Wilderness hath shut them in why some of you can scarcely descend the steps of this Tabernacle conv of sin and aroused to seek Eternal salvation before an old friend meets you and by his careless salutation he makes you forget the emotion which just before was so manifest or if you get over the first attack you are so warmly assailed indoors that you are greatly inclined to give in alas for the many who are speedily entangled in the Nets of human Associates and never gain the liberty of Christ the demands of business of position of self-interest of custom these all hold men as birds are caught with bird lime or as the needle is held by a powerful magnet and so they are prepared to hearken to evil entreaties and return to the country from which they came out [00:10:03]

To some the entanglements come from having to deal with new matters all things have become new and among the rest even their ordinary business wears a different aspect it used to be conducted in such and such a way but now on examination the man says I am a Christian I cannot do as I have done and yet how can I alter it it is a very simple matter to fall into those ways of trade which are questionable but it is not quite so easy to quit them and yet to gain a livelihood when you alter one custom of trade another matter hangs upon it and needs a change and it is not easy to bring partners and Clarks and work people out of old ways into new they are very apt to be sticklers for former methods moreover there are people in the trade who think you more nice than wise and will even refuse to do business with you if you are so particular it is no small thing for the convert to set himself right with the world in his changed mode of dealing yet this has got to be done and done with decision too or there is no escaping from Evil at such a Time the struggler feels I am entangled in the land the Wilderness ha shut me in and the enemy of souls is of the same opinion now is his opportunity but if you escape him now he will never again have such an advantage over you [00:14:24]

We have known others bewildered with doctrinal difficulties when a man's soul is renewed he begins to think and he desires to understand many things which a for time were indifferent to him he meets with that most plain and precious truth that Jesus Christ came into the world to save Sinners and he is well satisfied with that declaration still as he grows he seeks more knowledge and longs to understand the Deep things of God possibly as a young believer he goes beyond his depth he perceives the doctrine of election in the Bible and he asks what is this it may be he is greatly graveled with this Doctrine for though it is Rich with comfort for those who by reason of years have had their senses exercised yet it is a hard nut for babes in Grace it is simple enough when seen from one side of it but from another it is a bottomless mystery we have seen Minds quite bewildered where to us all things have seemed plain I've known people stumble over hard texts what means this text what means that passage what means the other scripture you would be astonished if you knew how many people are Disturbed in mind lie awake at nights and are likely to lose their faith in Christ over scriptures which are as cheering as can be when once they are understood these people need that some man should guide them for like the Ethiopian noblemen they will not otherwise understand what they read in former periods many lost the themselves in meditations upon Free Will predestination irresistible Grace and so forth it was a Pity that they dwelt so much upon the decrees of the father and so little upon the work of the Lord Jesus they got their heads muddled by things too high for them people are more frivolous now as a rule and this evil is rare still there are to be found here and there thoughtful persons not yet fully instructed in the faith who are puzzled and confounded as the infinite Glory of revealed truth opens up before their astonished gaze they will know Hereafter but for the present they are sorely troubled and perplexed and their cruel enemy rejoices that they are entangled in the land [00:18:01]

The Lord will not have us follow him for the sake of what we get from him he would have us men against whom even Satan could not say hast thou not set a hedge about him and all that he has our Lord desires followers who will cling to him at all risks for no other reason but their value of himself and his truth he would have servants who have encountered the cost would lose estate and repute yeah and life itself sooner than turn aside from the way of their lord perhaps you're being educated to this point of faithfulness do not therefore doubt because of your exercises and tribulations but take these things joyfully the path to heaven lies by the dens of the leopards and the hauns of the Young Lions dream not that God has forsaken you leave it to the devil to say they are entangled in the land the Wilderness has shut them in [00:25:06]

Though Pharaoh said they are entangled in the land the Wilderness hath shut them in yet they had a guide look at the surroundings of my text and you will see that they were Guided by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of Fire by night so that they had no need to be in any perplexity as to their road we too have a guide in Providence we are not left without a leader and in spiritual things we are not left without the spirit of God who shall lead us into all truth young traveler you are not turned out alone into a wild wilderness to find a path the Good Shepherd goes before you follow him as the Sheep follow their shepherd He never LED his flock in the wrong direction yet do what he bids you and you are safe do as he did when he was here below his example is your safe Direction believe him and Obey him keep to the Narrow Path hold fast your integrity and never let go your faith you have a Heavenly guide you are not left alone and therefore you cannot be Tangled in the land the Wilderness has not shut you in [00:32:55]

Remember also dear friends that when these people were thought to be hopelessly entangled they were about to see the Lord perform for them a work which would be most helpful to their ultimate conquest of Canaan for when pharaoh and his chariots were drowned in the sea Palestine heard of it and all the natives thereof began to tremble thus sang Moses in his famous song fear and dread shall fall upon them by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone the people shall hear and be afraid sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestine that day in which a convert has to fight out the battle once for all with himself shall give him strength for all future conflict and smooth his pathway into the land that flows with milk and honey you must not think young Christian because you are saved from guilt that everything is done and the Warfare ended there is a lifelong Conflict for you before you obtain possession of your inheritance and it may be that if now when you are in special trouble you are found faithful all the rest of the road will be cleared from similar troubles now shall the Egyptians be drowned in the sea [00:39:12]

Do you believe that Jesus has redeemed you to let you be lost after all I would speak personally to any elderly Christians here who begin to think that they shall one day fall by the hand of the enemy how old are you 60 60 how long do you expect to live answer 10 years then if God has taken care of you for 60 years can you not trust him for the odd 10 well says one I am 80 80 how long do you reckon to remain on Earth are you going to doubt for the few years that are yet to come have you trusted your God for 80 long years do not doubt him now I pray you do not please the Devil by distrusting your faithful God and surely as Jehovah begins he will finish it shall never be said of any work of God he began to build and was not able to finish if he has set you on the way to the Eternal inheritance he will surely bring you into it God is never defeated or turned aside he shall not fail nor be discouraged Comfort one another therefore with such words as these [00:44:14]

The Lord must bring Israel out of all entanglement for how else could he be glorified suppose that the Israelites had been left to perish when Pharaoh said they were shut in what then what would the Lord have done for his great name would not the Egyptians have exalted over Israel's God a scotch Minister tells the story of an aged Saint who on her dying bed said that her savior would never leave her to perish but suppose that he did not keep his promise promise and you were to be lost she answered he would be a greater loser than I when asked what she meant she answered it is true that I would lose my soul but God would lose his honor and His glory if he were not true Brethren if we have trusted in God and have come out of the Egypt to the world through his grace and have left all its sins behind us if we were left to die in the wilderness the Lord Jesus Christ would lose his glory as a savior the Divine father would lose his name for immutable faithfulness and the Holy Ghost would lose his honor for perseverance in completing every work which he undertakes the Lord God of Israel will never stain his glory wherefore be ye confident that he who brought you out of Egypt will bring you into Canaan [00:49:14]

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Transcript
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