Seeking Fresh Guidance: Avoiding the Pothole of Repetition
Summary
Life is full of challenges, and God’s faithfulness never wavers, even when we face trials, setbacks, or the schemes of the enemy. Yet, one of the subtle dangers we encounter is the temptation to rely on yesterday’s victories and strategies, falling into what I call the “pothole of repetition.” Just as a football team can get stuck repeating a play that once worked, we too can become complacent, assuming that what succeeded before will always work again. But God is a God of new things—He doesn’t have an “off season,” and He calls us to seek Him afresh for every situation.
Throughout Scripture, we see that every battle, every obstacle, and every season required a different approach. When Israel faced the Red Sea, God told Moses to stretch out his staff; when they faced the Jordan, He told Joshua to send the priests with the Ark. When Moses needed water, God first told him to strike the rock, but later instructed him to speak to it. Moses’ failure to obey the new instruction cost him dearly, reminding us that obedience to God’s current word is crucial, not just reliance on past methods.
Pride often tempts us to trust in our own experience or past success, but true victory comes from continually seeking God, listening for His direction, and obeying what He says—even when it’s unfamiliar or uncomfortable. David modeled this beautifully: he didn’t assume that one victory meant he could handle the next challenge the same way. Instead, he repeatedly inquired of the Lord, listened, and obeyed, even when it meant retreating instead of fighting.
The key to avoiding the pothole of repetition is simple but profound: Seek God, listen to God, and obey God. This posture keeps us humble, dependent, and ready for the new things God wants to do in and through us. And even if we’ve already hit a pothole—if we’ve made mistakes or grown complacent—Jesus is able to restore, realign, and renew us. All it takes is a heart that believes, confesses, and surrenders to Him.
Key Takeaways
- God’s faithfulness is constant, but His strategies are fresh. Relying on past victories or methods can lead to spiritual stagnation or even loss. Each new challenge requires us to seek God for a new word and a new approach, trusting that He is always doing something new in our lives. [07:10]
- The “pothole of repetition” is the temptation to repeat what worked before simply because it worked, rather than seeking God’s current direction. This can lead to missed opportunities, frustration, or even disobedience, as seen in Moses’ experience at Meribah. We must resist the urge to default to old patterns and instead pursue God’s present guidance. [14:52]
- Obedience is not just about following God once, but about continually seeking, listening, and responding to His voice. David’s example shows that even after a great victory, he didn’t assume the next step—he went back to God for fresh instructions, demonstrating humility and dependence. [26:11]
- Pride can blind us to the need for God’s direction, especially after experiencing success. It whispers that we can handle things on our own, but this self-reliance often leads to spiritual “blowouts.” True strength is found in acknowledging our need for God in every situation, no matter how familiar it seems. [29:37]
- Even if we’ve already fallen into the pothole of repetition, God’s grace is available to restore and realign us. Jesus repaves the road, offering forgiveness and a fresh start to all who believe and confess Him as Lord. Our part is to seek, listen, and obey—trusting that He will lead us forward. [32:25]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:02] - Introduction to the Potholes of Life
[03:21] - The Miami Dolphins and the Temptation of Repetition
[05:34] - Defining the Pothole of Repetition
[07:10] - God Does New Things: Isaiah 43:19
[08:40] - The Danger of Relying on Yesterday’s Success
[09:23] - Different Strategies for Different Battles
[13:09] - Moses, the Rock, and the Cost of Disobedience
[14:52] - The Pothole of Repetition in Moses’ Life
[16:45] - Jericho: A Unique Strategy
[18:18] - The Importance of Listening for God’s Fresh Strategy
[20:25] - Three Keys: Seek, Listen, Obey
[22:06] - David’s Example: Seeking God Repeatedly
[26:11] - Avoiding the Trap of Pride and Presumption
[29:37] - The Spiritual Danger of Self-Reliance
[32:25] - Restoration and Salvation in Jesus
[33:48] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Avoiding the Pothole of Repetition
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### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 43:19
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
2. Numbers 20:7-12
(God tells Moses to speak to the rock at Meribah, but Moses strikes it instead.)
3. 1 Samuel 23:1-14
(David repeatedly inquires of the Lord for direction in battle.)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Isaiah 43:19, what does God promise to do for His people, and how is this different from what He did in the past?
2. According to Numbers 20, what specific instruction did God give Moses at Meribah, and how did Moses respond? What was the consequence?
3. In 1 Samuel 23, how many times does David inquire of the Lord before acting, and what does this show about his approach to challenges?
4. The sermon described the “pothole of repetition” as doing things the same way just because it worked before. What are some biblical examples the pastor gave of God using different strategies for different situations? [09:23]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to use different strategies for Israel’s different battles and challenges, instead of repeating the same miracle or method? [09:23]
2. What does Moses’ failure at Meribah teach us about the importance of listening to God’s current instructions, even if we’ve experienced success in the past? [14:52]
3. How does David’s repeated seeking of God’s guidance in 1 Samuel 23 contrast with the temptation to rely on past victories or personal experience? [26:11]
4. The sermon mentioned that pride can lead us to trust in our own experience rather than God’s direction. Why is this spiritually dangerous? [29:37]
---
### Application Questions
1. Can you think of a time in your life when you tried to handle a new challenge by repeating what worked before, only to find it didn’t work? What happened, and what could you have done differently by seeking God’s fresh direction? [05:34]
2. The pastor said, “Seek God, listen to God, obey God.” Which of these three steps is hardest for you, and why? What is one practical way you can grow in that area this week? [20:25]
3. Moses missed out on entering the Promised Land because he relied on an old method instead of obeying God’s new instruction. Are there any areas in your life where you sense God is asking you to do something new, but you’re hesitant to let go of the old way? [14:52]
4. David didn’t assume that one victory meant he could handle the next challenge the same way. How can you build the habit of seeking God’s guidance for each new situation, rather than relying on your own experience? [26:11]
5. The sermon warned about the danger of pride after success. Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’ve got this,” and left God out of the equation? What was the result, and how can you guard against this attitude in the future? [29:37]
6. If you feel like you’ve already “hit the pothole” and made mistakes or grown complacent, what does the sermon say about Jesus’ ability to restore and realign you? How can you take a step toward restoration this week? [32:25]
7. The pastor shared that sometimes obedience means doing something unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Is there something God is prompting you to do right now that feels this way? What would it look like to take a step of faith and obey? [20:25]
---
Closing Thought:
Remember, God’s faithfulness never changes, but His strategies are fresh. Let’s encourage each other to seek, listen, and obey—trusting that God is always doing something new in and through us!
Devotional
Day 1: God Does New Things—Don’t Rely on Yesterday’s Methods
God is always at work in new and unexpected ways, even when we are tempted to repeat what worked before. The Israelites, after falling into cycles of sin and oppression, were told by God through Isaiah that He would not deliver them the same way as before, but would do a new thing. This reminds us that every challenge or obstacle we face may require a fresh approach from God, and we must be open to His new strategies rather than relying on past victories or methods. Trusting in God’s creativity and sovereignty keeps us from getting stuck in the rut of repetition and missing out on the new things He wants to do in our lives. [07:10]
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Reflection: Where in your life are you relying on old habits or past solutions instead of seeking God for a new way forward today?
Day 2: Every Battle Requires a Different Strategy
Throughout Scripture, God gave His people different strategies for different battles—parting the Red Sea with Moses’ staff, parting the Jordan with the priests’ feet, and bringing down Jericho’s walls with worship and silence. Even when the situation looked similar, God’s instructions were unique each time. This teaches us that we cannot assume yesterday’s obedience is today’s answer; instead, we must seek God’s guidance for each new challenge, trusting that He knows the best way forward for every circumstance we face. [10:32]
Joshua 3:14-17 (ESV)
“So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.”
Reflection: Is there a situation you’re facing where you’ve assumed the same approach will work again? How can you pause and ask God for His specific strategy today?
Day 3: Seek, Listen, and Obey—The Key to Avoiding the Pothole of Repetition
David’s example in 1 Samuel 23 shows us the importance of seeking God, listening for His answer, and then obeying—even when it means changing course from what worked before. David didn’t rely on his previous victory or his own strength; instead, he repeatedly inquired of the Lord for each new threat and followed God’s instructions, even when it meant retreating instead of fighting. This pattern—seek, listen, obey—keeps us dependent on God and protects us from the pride and pitfalls of self-reliance. [22:06]
1 Samuel 23:1-5 (ESV)
“Now they told David, ‘Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.’ Therefore David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’ And the Lord said to David, ‘Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.’ But David’s men said to him, ‘Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?’ Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, ‘Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.’ And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.”
Reflection: What is one area where you need to intentionally seek God’s direction, listen for His answer, and then take a step of obedience—even if it’s different from what you’ve done before?
Day 4: Pride Can Lead Us Into the Pothole of Repetition
After experiencing God-given victories, it’s easy to let pride convince us that we can handle things on our own or repeat the same steps for success. But pride blinds us to the need for God’s guidance and can lead us straight into trouble, just as Moses’ disobedience at Meribah cost him entry into the Promised Land. Humility keeps us dependent on God, recognizing that every victory comes from Him and that we need His wisdom for every new challenge. [29:37]
Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Reflection: Can you identify a recent moment when pride tempted you to act without seeking God? How can you humble yourself and invite Him into your decisions today?
Day 5: Jesus Repaves the Road—There’s Grace for Our Mistakes
Even if we’ve already fallen into the pothole of repetition and suffered the consequences, Jesus offers us grace, restoration, and a fresh start. He not only repairs what’s been broken but gives us new strength and realigns our lives when we turn to Him in faith. No matter how many times we’ve messed up, God’s love and forgiveness are available when we believe in Jesus, confess Him as Lord, and surrender our lives to Him. [32:25]
Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Reflection: If you feel stuck or weighed down by past mistakes, will you take a moment today to confess them to Jesus and receive His forgiveness and restoration?
Quotes
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