God Makes a Way When There Is No Way

Today, we gathered around the truth that God is the One who makes a way when there seems to be no way. Life often brings us to places where we feel boxed in—by circumstances, by the voices of intimidation, by the “gods” of this world, or by our own sense of failure and limitation. Just as the Israelites found themselves trapped between the Red Sea, the Egyptian army, and the intimidating symbols of human and spiritual power, we too can find ourselves in situations that seem utterly impossible. Yet, it is in these very moments that God’s power is most clearly revealed.

Reflecting on my own journey, I shared how our family faced a season of deep uncertainty and apparent dead ends—immigration issues, the threat of being uprooted from our calling, and the emotional toll of feeling stuck. In those dark nights, the enemy’s voice was loud, telling us it was over. But God was not finished. He led us, as He led Israel, to a place where only He could deliver. And He did.

From the story in Exodus, we see that God sometimes leads us into impossible places not to destroy us, but to display His glory and to remind us that our deliverance is not by our own strength, but by His hand alone. The Israelites were told to camp in full view of the intimidating fortress and the idol of Baal Zephon—not to cower, but to face down the intimidation of the world and to see that Yahweh alone is God.

When we are stuck, there are four things we must do: First, remind ourselves of what God has said—His promises in Scripture and the prophetic words spoken over our lives. Second, remember what God has done—rehearse the testimonies of His faithfulness in our past. Third, look at what God is doing right now—don’t miss the signs of His presence and activity, even in the darkness. And finally, move forward—take whatever step of faith you can, even if it’s just to pray, worship, or ask for help.

God is still the God who parts seas, who opens doors no one can shut, and who brings freedom where there was only bondage. No matter how boxed in you feel, He is able to make a way.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Remind Yourself What God Has Said When you feel stuck, the first step is to return to the promises and instructions God has already given you. Too often, we seek new answers when we haven’t acted on what He’s already spoken. The Word of God is our fuel; without it, we run on empty or, worse, on fear. Go back to Scripture and the prophetic words over your life—God’s plan is already blessed, and clarity comes when we align ourselves with His voice. [95:04]
• 2. Remember What God Has Done Rehearse the testimonies of God’s faithfulness in your life. When facing new giants, recall the victories of the past—these are not just memories, but anchors for your faith. God’s past deliverance is evidence of His future faithfulness. In moments of crisis, let gratitude and remembrance silence the voice of fear and doubt. [101:53]
• 3. Look at What God Is Doing Right Now It’s easy to focus on the threats and miss the signs of God’s presence. Even in darkness, God is at work—sometimes right above us, as with the pillar of cloud and fire for Israel. Pay attention to the miracles, provision, and small breakthroughs happening around you. These are reminders that God has not abandoned you, and His presence is your assurance in the waiting. [107:20]
• 4. Move Forward in Faith Even when you feel paralyzed, there is always a step you can take—pray, worship, seek counsel, or simply obey the last instruction God gave you. Faith is not passive; it moves, even if trembling. God often waits for us to stretch out our hand before He parts the sea. Don’t let fear keep you immobilized—move forward, and watch God make a way. [112:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [72:01] - Honoring Encounter Church and Pastors
• [74:02] - Call to Missions and Unreached Peoples
• [76:30] - The Global Need and Personal Transition
• [78:41] - Five Years Ago: A Journey of Faith
• [80:11] - Facing Unexpected Setbacks
• [82:24] - God Makes a Way When There Is No Way
• [83:31] - The Israelites Boxed In at the Red Sea
• [85:33] - The Intimidation of the World’s “Gods”
• [88:40] - Yahweh’s Supremacy and the Impossible Place
• [90:31] - When Only God Can Deliver
• [94:33] - What To Do When You’re Stuck
• [95:04] - Four Steps to Get Unstuck
• [101:53] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
• [107:20] - Seeing God’s Presence in the Present
• [112:14] - Move Forward in Faith
• [115:35] - The Ultimate Deliverance: Salvation
• [119:32] - Responding to God’s Call
• [122:18] - Prayer for Breakthrough and Unstuck Lives
• [126:35] - Closing and Invitation to Evening Service

Bible Reading

Exodus 14:1-16 (ESV) — > Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.” And they did so...
>
> (Read through verse 16 for the full context of Israel boxed in at the Red Sea, God’s instructions, and the command to move forward.)

Romans 10:17 (ESV) — > So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Observation Questions

1. According to Exodus 14, where did God specifically tell the Israelites to camp, and what intimidating things surrounded them in that place? ([01:23:31])
2. What was the Israelites’ reaction when they saw Pharaoh’s army approaching, and what did they say to Moses? ([01:29:57])
3. In the sermon, what four steps did the pastor give for what to do when you feel stuck? ([01:35:04])
4. What visible sign of God’s presence was with the Israelites during their time at the Red Sea, and how did it function? ([01:47:20])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God led the Israelites to a place where they were boxed in by the sea, a fortress, and an idol, instead of an easier route? What might God have wanted to show them or teach them in that moment? ([01:23:31])
2. The Israelites were told to camp in full view of intimidating symbols (the fortress and Baal Zephon). What does this say about how God wants His people to face the “gods” or intimidating powers of this world? ([01:26:59])
3. The pastor said that sometimes God leads us into impossible places not to destroy us, but to display His glory and remind us that deliverance is by His hand alone. How does this perspective change the way we view our own “boxed in” situations? ([01:30:31])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of remembering what God has said and done. Why is it so easy to forget God’s past faithfulness when we face new challenges? ([01:41:53])

Application Questions

1. The first step the pastor gave was to remind yourself what God has said—His promises in Scripture and prophetic words. Is there a specific promise from God’s Word or a prophetic word over your life that you need to revisit right now? How can you practically remind yourself of it this week? ([01:35:04])
2. The Israelites were surrounded by intimidating circumstances and voices. What are some “intimidating voices” or “gods of this world” that you face in your own life? How do they try to box you in or make you feel stuck? ([01:26:59])
3. The pastor shared about a season of deep uncertainty with immigration and feeling stuck. Have you ever experienced a time when you felt boxed in with no way out? What did you do, and what would you do differently now after hearing this message? ([01:32:23])
4. One of the steps was to look at what God is doing right now, even in the darkness. Can you identify any “small breakthroughs,” signs of God’s presence, or provision in your current situation? How can you train yourself to notice these more often? ([01:47:20])
5. The final step was to move forward in faith, even if it’s just a small step like praying, worshiping, or asking for help. What is one concrete step you can take this week to move forward, even if you still feel stuck? ([01:52:14])
6. The sermon talked about rehearsing testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Is there a past victory or answered prayer in your life that you need to remember and share with someone else this week? How might sharing it encourage both you and them? ([01:41:53])
7. The pastor said, “God often waits for us to stretch out our hand before He parts the sea.” Is there an area in your life where you sense God is waiting for you to act in faith? What would it look like for you to “stretch out your hand” in that area? ([01:52:14])