Trusting God: Breaking the Control Cycle
Summary
In our journey through life, many of us, like Moses, struggle with control issues. We often see problems and assume we can solve them through our own strength, much like Moses did when he took matters into his own hands in Egypt. This tendency to control can lead to a cycle of assuming God's position, taking control, creating more problems, and repeating the cycle. However, God desires to rescue us from this cycle and teach us to trust Him instead.
In Exodus chapters 3 and 4, we see a pivotal moment in Moses's life where God meets him in the wilderness. Here, Moses learns a crucial lesson: trusting God begins with acknowledging that we are not God. This encounter with God on holy ground is transformative for Moses. It is in the wilderness, away from the comforts of Egypt, that Moses learns to trust God by recognizing his own insufficiency and God's sufficiency.
God reveals to Moses that He sees the afflictions of His people and is sufficient to address them. This revelation is not about Moses's abilities but about God's power and presence. God tells Moses, "I am who I am," emphasizing that He is the eternal, self-sufficient God who needs nothing from us but offers everything we need.
As we reflect on Moses's journey, we are reminded that trusting God is not about trying harder or doing more. It is about seeing God for who He truly is and allowing Him to be God in our lives. When we lay down control and acknowledge God's sovereignty, we experience His work for His glory. This trust cycle brings freedom, joy, and peace, contrasting the bondage of the control cycle.
Ultimately, Moses's story points us to Jesus, the better Moses, who rescues us from the bondage of sin and death. Trusting Jesus in our daily lives is a reflection of our trust in Him as our eternal Savior. As we learn to trust God more, we see His work in our lives and experience His glory.
Key Takeaways:
- Control issues often lead us to assume God's position, creating a cycle of taking control and producing more problems. Recognizing this cycle in our lives is the first step toward breaking free and trusting God. [50:22]
- Trusting God begins with acknowledging that we are not God. In the wilderness, Moses learns to trust God by recognizing his own insufficiency and God's sufficiency. This transformation is rooted in seeing God for who He truly is. [54:34]
- God sees our struggles and is sufficient to address them. His revelation to Moses, "I am who I am," emphasizes His eternal, self-sufficient nature. Trusting God means relying on His power and presence rather than our abilities. [01:01:11]
- The trust cycle brings freedom, joy, and peace, contrasting the bondage of the control cycle. When we lay down control and acknowledge God's sovereignty, we experience His work for His glory. [01:10:41]
- Jesus, the better Moses, rescues us from the bondage of sin and death. Trusting Jesus in our daily lives reflects our trust in Him as our eternal Savior. As we trust God more, we see His work in our lives and experience His glory. [01:15:55]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[44:21] - The Control Issue
[45:06] - God's Rescue Plan
[46:50] - Moses's Attempt at Control
[48:20] - God's Perspective
[49:17] - The Control Cycle
[50:22] - Personal Struggles with Control
[52:01] - The Wilderness Encounter
[52:58] - The Burning Bush
[53:46] - Holy Ground
[54:34] - Trusting God
[56:00] - God's Revelation
[57:00] - The Wilderness Lesson
[58:37] - God's Sufficiency
[01:00:07] - God's Vision
[01:01:11] - I Am Who I Am
[01:02:35] - Trusting God's Sufficiency
[01:03:28] - Moses's Transformation
[01:05:33] - Covenant and Consequence
[01:06:46] - The People's Belief
[01:07:50] - Moses's New Trust
[01:09:05] - Acknowledging God
[01:10:41] - The Joy of Trust
[01:11:27] - Prayer and Dependence
[01:12:48] - Trusting God in Ministry
[01:13:25] - Experiencing God's Glory
[01:14:10] - The Cycle of Trust
[01:15:55] - Jesus, the Better Moses
[01:17:47] - Trusting God in Our Lives
[01:18:37] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Exodus 3:1-6
- Exodus 3:13-14
- Exodus 4:27-31
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Moses doing when he encountered God in the burning bush, and how did God introduce Himself to Moses? ([52:58])
2. How did Moses initially respond to God's call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and what does this reveal about his perception of himself? ([58:37])
3. In Exodus 4:31, how did the people of Israel respond when they heard that God had seen their affliction and was coming to rescue them?
4. What significant transformation did Moses undergo from Exodus chapter 2 to chapter 4, and what was the catalyst for this change? ([01:07:50])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Moses's initial attempt to solve problems in his own strength reflect common human tendencies, and what are the consequences of such actions? ([49:17])
2. What does God's statement "I am who I am" reveal about His nature, and why is this significant for Moses and for us today? ([01:01:11])
3. How does the wilderness experience serve as a place of transformation for Moses, and what does this suggest about the role of difficult seasons in our spiritual growth? ([57:00])
4. In what ways does Moses's story point to Jesus as the "better Moses," and how does this understanding deepen our trust in Jesus as our Savior? ([01:15:55])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to control a situation in your life. What were the outcomes, and how might acknowledging God's sovereignty have changed the situation? ([50:22])
2. Moses learned to trust God by recognizing his own insufficiency. In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge your limitations and rely on God's sufficiency? ([54:34])
3. Consider a current struggle or challenge you are facing. How can you practically lay down control and trust God to work in this situation? ([01:09:56])
4. The Israelites believed and worshipped when they heard that God had seen their affliction. How can you cultivate a heart of worship and trust in God's awareness of your struggles? ([01:06:46])
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you are tempted to operate in the control cycle. What steps can you take to shift towards the trust cycle instead? ([01:17:47])
6. How can the example of Jesus as the "better Moses" inspire you to trust Him more deeply in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to reflect this trust? ([01:15:55])
7. In what ways can you encourage others in your community to trust God more fully, especially in areas where they struggle with control? ([01:12:48])
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Control Cycle
In our lives, we often find ourselves caught in a cycle of control, where we assume God's position and try to manage everything on our own. This cycle can lead to more problems and a sense of bondage. Recognizing this pattern is the first step toward breaking free and learning to trust God. By acknowledging our tendency to control, we open ourselves to the possibility of experiencing God's peace and freedom. The story of Moses in Egypt illustrates this struggle, as he initially took matters into his own hands, leading to unintended consequences. However, God desires to rescue us from this cycle and invites us to trust in His sovereignty and wisdom. [50:22]
Exodus 2:11-12 (ESV): "One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you often take control. How can you begin to release this to God today and trust in His plan?
Day 2: Trusting God's Sufficiency
Trusting God begins with acknowledging that we are not God. In the wilderness, Moses learned to trust God by recognizing his own insufficiency and God's sufficiency. This transformation is rooted in seeing God for who He truly is. When Moses encountered God on holy ground, he realized that his own abilities were not enough to fulfill God's purposes. Instead, he needed to rely on God's power and presence. This pivotal moment in Moses's life teaches us that true trust in God comes from understanding our limitations and embracing His limitless nature. [54:34]
Exodus 3:11-12 (ESV): "But Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?' He said, 'But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.'"
Reflection: Consider a situation where you feel inadequate. How can you shift your focus from your limitations to God's sufficiency today?
Day 3: God's Eternal Presence
God sees our struggles and is sufficient to address them. His revelation to Moses, "I am who I am," emphasizes His eternal, self-sufficient nature. Trusting God means relying on His power and presence rather than our abilities. This profound truth reassures us that God is always present and capable of meeting our needs. As we navigate life's challenges, we can find comfort in knowing that God is unchanging and ever-present, ready to guide and support us. [01:01:11]
Exodus 3:14-15 (ESV): "God said to Moses, 'I am who I am.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel, "I am has sent me to you."' God also said to Moses, 'Say this to the people of Israel, "The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you." This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a current struggle you are facing. How can you invite God's eternal presence into this situation and trust in His sufficiency?
Day 4: The Joy of Trust
The trust cycle brings freedom, joy, and peace, contrasting the bondage of the control cycle. When we lay down control and acknowledge God's sovereignty, we experience His work for His glory. This shift from control to trust allows us to live in the freedom that God intends for us. As we trust in His plans and purposes, we find joy and peace in knowing that He is in control. This transformation in our lives is a testament to God's faithfulness and love. [01:10:41]
Psalm 37:5-6 (ESV): "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you experienced stress due to control. How can you practice releasing control and embracing trust in God to find joy and peace?
Day 5: Jesus, the Better Moses
Jesus, the better Moses, rescues us from the bondage of sin and death. Trusting Jesus in our daily lives reflects our trust in Him as our eternal Savior. As we learn to trust God more, we see His work in our lives and experience His glory. Jesus's life and sacrifice demonstrate the ultimate act of trust and obedience to God. By following His example, we can deepen our relationship with God and experience the fullness of His grace and love. [01:15:55]
Hebrews 3:3-6 (ESV): "For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope."
Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with Jesus. How can you actively trust Him more in your daily life and allow His presence to transform you?
Quotes
And my heart this morning is that you would see from God, God's word, that the control issue that I have and that you have is human. But not only is it human, it's something that God wants to rescue us from. It's something that God wants to free us from. It's something that God wants to bring us liberty from. [00:45:06] (22 seconds)
Here's how the control cycle works. We assume the position of God. We take matters into our own hands. We produce more problems. And then as a result of those problems, we simply repeat steps one through three. Anybody else see that in their life? I mean, I see this all over my life. [00:50:22] (27 seconds)
In this scene, we see Moses who once looked on the challenges of his life and said, I am the God of Abraham. And he said, I am the God of Abraham. And he looked at his people and thought, I'm the solution to hiding his face from God. It's here in the wilderness, encountering God, that Moses first learns to trust God. [00:54:34] (22 seconds)
Church, we need to know this morning that learning to trust God is not more to do, it's not trying harder, it's seeing God for who he is. What we need is not more do's or try harders. What we need is a fresh revelation of the eternal God. What you and I need to learn to trust God is to see God as God. [00:56:18] (28 seconds)
God sees and God is sufficient. In verses 7 through 9, God says, I have seen the affliction and oppression of my people. I heard their cry. I know their sufferings. God saw and God was aware of the very same problems that Moses saw. God saw the issues. He saw the challenges. He saw the work that needed to be done. [01:00:07] (25 seconds)
God is communicating to Moses, hey Moses, it's not about you. It's not about your insufficiencies. It's not about your inadequacies. It's not about how much you can't do. It's about me. Moses, you're not sufficient. You're not adequate, but I am. God is communicating to Moses that he is God, that he depends on nothing, that he needs nothing. [01:01:11] (24 seconds)
What I want us to notice from these verses, this morning, is that in every interaction that God has with Moses, he never once responds to Moses's inadequacies or a sense of insufficiency with some pithy, modern response that says, you know what, Moses? You are enough. Because he's not. And that's the point. He's not enough, but God is. [01:02:35] (33 seconds)
And when we acknowledge God, when we lay down control, we allow him to be God. And we experience his work for his glory. And church, isn't that what we want? Don't we want that in our own lives? Don't we want that in our families? Don't we want that in the church? To see God's work for his glory? That's what we want. [01:13:25] (24 seconds)
The lesson that God had to teach Moses was this. Trust me. Trust me. Trust me, Moses. Stop being God. Trust me, Moses. Stop trying to be the solution. Trust me. That's God loving Moses. This morning, I hope you can hear God's love and grace saying to you, trust me. [01:17:47] (29 seconds)
We trust God when we see God more clearly. And when we see God more clearly, we trust him more. And so I pray, I pray that God's spirit allowed you to see him more clearly this morning so that you can trust him more. Let's pray. Father, we come before you and we bow our hearts before you because you are God. [01:18:37] (25 seconds)
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