God: Our Deliverer in Times of Trouble
Summary
### Summary
Good to see everybody today. As we get into it, have you ever felt like the whole world was against you? You ever been in that situation where you felt like everything's just kind of caving in, and you're just not sure what's next? Today, we're going to see how God shows up as our deliverer. We're diving into Exodus 14, where God is glorified through the miraculous escape of the Israelites from the Egyptians. This story isn't just about the escape; it's about God being glorified through His mighty acts.
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds and pursued the Israelites with 600 of the best chariots. The Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptian army. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord, questioning Moses' leadership. Moses reassured them, saying, "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord's salvation that He will accomplish for you today" (Exodus 14:13).
As the Egyptians closed in, God placed a pillar of cloud between the Israelites and the Egyptians, providing a barrier of protection. Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back with a powerful east wind, turning the sea into dry land. The Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground with walls of water on their right and left. The Egyptians pursued them, but God threw their forces into confusion, causing their chariot wheels to swerve and making it difficult for them to advance.
During the morning watch, the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud and threw the Egyptian forces into confusion. The Egyptians recognized that the Lord was fighting for the Israelites and tried to retreat. God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again, and the waters returned to their normal depth, covering the chariots and horsemen. Not one of the Egyptians survived.
The Israelites saw the great power the Lord used against the Egyptians, and they feared the Lord and believed in Him and in His servant Moses. This miraculous event led to a song of praise and adoration to God, led by the prophetess Miriam. The Israelites celebrated their deliverance, recognizing that God had saved them from certain death and given them a new life of purpose and meaning.
As we reflect on this story, it's essential to remember that God is our deliverer. He fights our battles and provides a way when there seems to be no way. We must trust Him, stand firm in our faith, and follow His guidance. Even when we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, God is with us, and He will lead us to victory.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Glory in Our Deliverance: The story of the Israelites' escape from Egypt is not just about their deliverance but about God's glory being revealed. God orchestrated the events to demonstrate His power and sovereignty. When we face challenges, we must remember that our deliverance is an opportunity for God to be glorified. Trust in His plan and know that He is working for His glory and our good. [02:01]
2. Stand Firm and See the Lord's Salvation: When the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, Moses encouraged them to stand firm and see the Lord's salvation. In our lives, we often face situations that seem impossible. In those moments, we must stand firm in our faith, trusting that God will deliver us. He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. [06:05]
3. God Fights Our Battles: The Israelites did not have to fight the Egyptians; God fought for them. He placed a pillar of cloud between them and the Egyptians, causing confusion among the enemy. Similarly, we must let God fight our battles. Our role is to trust Him, follow His guidance, and remain faithful. He will protect us and lead us to victory. [22:08]
4. Faith Over Fear: The Israelites were initially terrified when they saw the Egyptians approaching, but Moses reminded them not to be afraid. Fear can paralyze us and prevent us from seeing God's hand at work. We must choose faith over fear, trusting that God is with us and will see us through any challenge. When God is in our boat, we don't have to be afraid. [10:33]
5. Celebrate God's Deliverance: After their miraculous escape, the Israelites celebrated with a song of praise led by Miriam. It's important to remember to celebrate and give thanks for God's deliverance in our lives. Recognize His hand at work and give Him the glory He deserves. This not only strengthens our faith but also serves as a testimony to others of God's power and faithfulness. [36:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:01] - God's Glory in Our Deliverance
[06:05] - Stand Firm and See the Lord's Salvation
[10:33] - Faith Over Fear
[22:08] - God Fights Our Battles
[36:15] - Celebrate God's Deliverance
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Exodus 14:5-31: The miraculous escape of the Israelites from the Egyptians.
- Mark 4:35-41: Jesus calming the storm, demonstrating His power over nature.
### Observation Questions
1. What did Pharaoh and his officials decide to do after the Israelites fled Egypt? (Exodus 14:5-7)
2. How did the Israelites react when they saw the Egyptian army approaching? (Exodus 14:10-12)
3. What did Moses tell the Israelites to do when they were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army? (Exodus 14:13-14)
4. How did God intervene to protect the Israelites from the Egyptians? (Exodus 14:19-20) [07:18]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to place the Israelites in a seemingly impossible situation between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army? (Exodus 14:1-4)
2. How does the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41 relate to the Israelites' experience at the Red Sea? [08:53]
3. What does Moses' command to "stand firm and see the Lord's salvation" teach us about facing our own challenges? (Exodus 14:13-14) [06:05]
4. How does the reaction of the Israelites after their deliverance (Exodus 14:31) reflect their faith and understanding of God's power?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt trapped or overwhelmed by a situation. How did you see God work in that situation? [02:01]
2. When facing challenges, do you find it difficult to "stand firm" and trust in God's deliverance? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in these moments? [06:05]
3. How can you remind yourself to let God fight your battles instead of trying to handle everything on your own? [22:08]
4. Fear can often paralyze us. What are some practical ways you can choose faith over fear in your daily life? [10:33]
5. Celebrating God's deliverance is important. How can you make a habit of recognizing and giving thanks for God's work in your life? [36:15]
6. Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply the lessons from the Israelites' escape and Jesus calming the storm to your situation?
7. How can you encourage others in your community to trust in God's deliverance and celebrate His victories together? [33:21]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Glory in Our Deliverance
When the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, it seemed like an impossible situation. However, God orchestrated their deliverance in a way that revealed His power and sovereignty. This story is a reminder that our deliverance is not just about us; it’s about God being glorified. When we face challenges, we must trust that God is working for His glory and our good. He uses our circumstances to demonstrate His power and to draw others to Himself. Trust in His plan, even when it seems unclear, and know that He is always working behind the scenes for His glory.
[02:01]
Exodus 14:17-18 (ESV): "And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity for God to be glorified?
Day 2: Stand Firm and See the Lord's Salvation
The Israelites were terrified when they saw the Egyptian army approaching. In that moment of fear, Moses encouraged them to stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation. This is a powerful reminder for us today. When we face situations that seem impossible, we must stand firm in our faith, trusting that God will deliver us. He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. By standing firm, we allow God to work in our lives and show His power and faithfulness.
[06:05]
Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to stand firm in faith? How can you actively trust God to deliver you in this situation?
Day 3: God Fights Our Battles
The Israelites did not have to fight the Egyptians; God fought for them. He placed a pillar of cloud between them and the Egyptians, causing confusion among the enemy. This is a powerful reminder that we must let God fight our battles. Our role is to trust Him, follow His guidance, and remain faithful. He will protect us and lead us to victory. When we surrender our battles to God, we allow Him to work in ways that we could never imagine.
[22:08]
2 Chronicles 20:15 (ESV): "And he said, 'Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's."'"
Reflection: What battle are you currently facing that you need to surrender to God? How can you actively let go and trust Him to fight for you?
Day 4: Faith Over Fear
The Israelites were initially terrified when they saw the Egyptians approaching, but Moses reminded them not to be afraid. Fear can paralyze us and prevent us from seeing God’s hand at work. We must choose faith over fear, trusting that God is with us and will see us through any challenge. When God is in our boat, we don’t have to be afraid. By choosing faith, we open ourselves up to experiencing God’s peace and presence in the midst of our trials.
[10:33]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Identify a fear that is currently holding you back. How can you choose faith over fear in this situation and trust in God’s presence and strength?
Day 5: Celebrate God's Deliverance
After their miraculous escape, the Israelites celebrated with a song of praise led by Miriam. It’s important to remember to celebrate and give thanks for God’s deliverance in our lives. Recognize His hand at work and give Him the glory He deserves. This not only strengthens our faith but also serves as a testimony to others of God’s power and faithfulness. Celebrating God’s deliverance helps us to remember His goodness and encourages us to trust Him in future challenges.
[36:15]
Psalm 105:1-2 (ESV): "Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you experienced God’s deliverance. How can you celebrate and give thanks for His faithfulness today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When God is in your boat, you don't have to be afraid. When God is leading you in the wilderness, when God is leading you in unknown places, even when the most powerful army in the world is encroaching upon you, and they are coming to nuke you till you glow in the daytime. But God is with you. You don't have to be afraid. You don't have to freak out." [10:33]
2. "Stop living in fear. Stop letting your fear and your anxiety get the best of you. Stop letting it deter you and steer you away from what God's called you to be and what he's called you to do, which is be a disciple. Your fear and your worry do nothing to help you be who God's called you to be. They literally steer you away from what God's called you to do. So trust him." [12:08]
3. "Sometimes about our culture and our country and where we're at. And sometimes I feel like the church has just given up. We're content to go to church. We're content to go to Bible studies. We're content to serve inside the church. And we might even serve a little bit outside the church, but we really don't believe. We really don't believe that there's going to be a massive movement of God." [26:49]
4. "Good to see everybody today. As we get into it, have you ever felt like the whole world was against you? You ever been in that situation where you felt like, I mean, everything's just kind of caving in, and you're just not sure. You're not sure, like, you're not completely at the point of hopelessness, or maybe you've even been at that point of complete hopelessness, and you're just trying to figure out what's next." [02:01]
### Quotes for Members
1. "But Moses said to the people, don't be afraid, stand firm, see the Lord's salvation that he will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you and you must be quiet." [06:05]
2. "The reality is, is it the fight that stands before us today, Christians, brothers and sisters is one that we cannot win if we do it ourselves. It's a fight that we will never win if it's up to us. And it's a fight that we cannot win if we do it our way. It's a fight that we've got to let God fight for us. We've got to be willing to be used by God. We've got to be willing to take direction from God." [22:08]
3. "The Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground with the waters like a wall to them on their right and their left. That day, the Lord saved Israel from the power of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Verse 31, when Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and believed in him and in his servant, Moses." [20:54]
4. "I believe he can do it. I believe he can do it. And I believe that he has called you and he has saved you by his grace and his mercy, that he poured out his loving kindness through his son, Jesus Christ on the cross. He showed us his loving kindness. He loved us enough to save us. I believe he can do it. Do you believe he can do it?" [31:43]
5. "As we go into these next couple of songs, I want you to praise him. I want you to praise him like you just walked through two walls of water while being chased by an Egyptian army and God just saved your butt. I want you to praise him because he's worthy. I want you to praise him because he saved you from sin and death. God may have crushed the Egyptians, but the biggest victory was won on the cross when he crushed sin and death. So let's praise him. Like he deserves." [36:15]
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