Trusting God's Plan in Uncertain Times

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Promises Amidst Uncertainty

In times of uncertainty, faith requires us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire. Moses' parents exemplified this by hiding him, trusting in God's plan despite the danger. Their faith was not just parental affection but a profound trust in God's promises. In the face of Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew baby boys, Moses' parents chose to act in faith, believing that God had a purpose for their son. This act of faith was a testament to their unwavering belief in God's sovereignty and His ability to protect and guide them through perilous times. Their story encourages us to hold onto God's promises, even when the path ahead seems unclear. [09:24]

Hebrews 11:23 (ESV): "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you facing uncertainty? How can you actively choose to trust in God's promises today, even when the outcome is unknown?

Day 2: God's Unexpected Ways

God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways, using unlikely people and circumstances to fulfill His purposes. Pharaoh's daughter, who should have been a threat, became an instrument of salvation, mirroring God's compassion and intervention. This reminds us that God's plans are not limited by human strategies or power structures. In the story of Moses, we see how God orchestrated events in a way that defied human logic. Pharaoh's daughter, moved by compassion, rescued Moses from the river, setting in motion a series of events that would lead to the deliverance of the Israelites. This narrative challenges us to trust in God's control, even when the enemy seems to have the upper hand, and to remain open to the unexpected ways He may choose to work in our lives. [15:04]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Can you recall a time when God worked in an unexpected way in your life? How can you remain open to His surprising plans today?

Day 3: Aligning with God's Timing

Acting in our own strength, without waiting for God's timing, can lead to failure. Moses' impulsive actions, though driven by a desire for justice, resulted in exile. This teaches us the importance of aligning our actions with God's plan and waiting for His direction. Moses' story is a powerful reminder that our zeal for justice and righteousness must be tempered with patience and discernment. When Moses acted impulsively, he faced the consequences of his actions, leading to a period of exile in Midian. This time of waiting and reflection was crucial for Moses' development as a leader. It reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and we must seek His guidance before taking action. [19:06]

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are acting impulsively? How can you seek God's guidance and wait for His timing in this situation?

Day 4: Finding Belonging in God

Our true belonging is not tied to a geographical location but to our relationship with God. Moses' time in Midian reflects the transient nature of life, reminding us that stability is found in trusting the One who leads us through every season. During his time in Midian, Moses experienced a sense of displacement and exile. Yet, it was in this period of wandering that he deepened his relationship with God and discovered his true identity and purpose. This part of Moses' journey teaches us that our sense of belonging is not dependent on our physical surroundings but on our connection with God, who provides stability and direction in every season of life. [24:10]

Psalm 90:1-2 (ESV): "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

Reflection: Do you feel like a foreigner in your own life? How can you cultivate a deeper sense of belonging in your relationship with God today?

Day 5: Embracing God's Faithfulness and Grace

God's faithfulness to His covenant is a profound illustration of His love and grace. Just as God heard the cries of the Israelites and prepared a deliverer in Moses, He hears our cries and is actively working in our lives, even when we cannot see it. Our relationship with God, secured through Jesus Christ, is not based on our perfection but on His grace. The story of Moses is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people. Despite their struggles and failures, God remained faithful to His covenant, providing a deliverer in Moses. This narrative reassures us that God is attentive to our needs and is working behind the scenes to fulfill His promises. Our relationship with Him is grounded in His grace, inviting us to trust in His love and surrender our uncertainties to Him. [24:10]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: How can you embrace God's grace in your life today, acknowledging His faithfulness even when you cannot see His work?

Sermon Summary

In times of uncertainty, when life seems to make no sense, we can find solace and strength in the story of Moses. Born into a time of great oppression and fear, Moses' life began with a desperate act of faith by his parents, who hid him for three months to protect him from Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew baby boys. This act of faith was not just parental affection but a profound trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seemed dire. Moses' story reminds us that God's plans often unfold in ways that defy human logic and understanding.

Moses' journey from a hidden child to a prince in Egypt, and eventually to a leader of his people, is a testament to God's sovereignty and ability to use unexpected means to fulfill His purposes. Pharaoh's daughter, who should have been a threat, became an instrument of salvation, mirroring God's compassion and intervention. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's control, even when the enemy seems to have the upper hand. God's plans are not limited by human strategies or power structures; He can use anyone to accomplish His will.

As Moses grew, he never lost his identity as a Hebrew, despite being raised in Pharaoh's palace. His heart was drawn to his people, and his actions, though sometimes impulsive, revealed a deep-seated desire for justice. However, acting in our own strength, without waiting for God's timing, can lead to failure. Moses' story teaches us the importance of aligning our actions with God's plan and waiting for His direction.

Moses' time in Midian, a period of exile and displacement, reflects the transient nature of life. Like many of us who feel like foreigners in our own lives, Moses found stability not in a geographical location but in his relationship with God. This is a powerful reminder that our true belonging is not tied to a place but to the One who leads us through every season.

Finally, the story of Moses is a profound illustration of God's faithfulness to His covenant. Just as God heard the cries of the Israelites and prepared a deliverer in Moses, He hears our cries and is actively working in our lives, even when we cannot see it. Our relationship with God, secured through Jesus Christ, is not based on our perfection but on His grace. We are invited to trust in Him, surrendering our uncertainties and embracing the love and purpose He has for us.

Key Takeaways

1. In times of uncertainty, faith requires us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire. Moses' parents exemplified this by hiding him, trusting in God's plan despite the danger. Their faith was not just parental affection but a profound trust in God's promises. [09:24]
2. God's plans often unfold in unexpected ways, using unlikely people and circumstances to fulfill His purposes. Pharaoh's daughter, who should have been a threat, became an instrument of salvation, mirroring God's compassion and intervention. This reminds us that God's plans are not limited by human strategies or power structures. [15:04]
3. Acting in our own strength, without waiting for God's timing, can lead to failure. Moses' impulsive actions, though driven by a desire for justice, resulted in exile. This teaches us the importance of aligning our actions with God's plan and waiting for His direction. [19:06]
4. Our true belonging is not tied to a geographical location but to our relationship with God. Moses' time in Midian reflects the transient nature of life, reminding us that stability is found in trusting the One who leads us through every season. [24:10]
5. God's faithfulness to His covenant is a profound illustration of His love and grace. Just as God heard the cries of the Israelites and prepared a deliverer in Moses, He hears our cries and is actively working in our lives, even when we cannot see it. Our relationship with God, secured through Jesus Christ, is not based on our perfection but on His grace. [24:10]
** [24:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Seasons of Uncertainty
[02:10] - Introduction to Moses
[04:00] - The Oppression in Egypt
[06:30] - Faith of Moses' Parents
[09:24] - Pharaoh's Daughter's Compassion
[11:50] - Moses' Identity and Actions
[15:04] - Consequences of Impulsiveness
[17:30] - Moses in Midian
[19:06] - Displacement and Belonging
[21:45] - God's Faithfulness and Covenant
[24:10] - Invitation to Trust in God
[26:30] - Embracing God's Grace
[28:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of Moses

Bible Reading:

Exodus 2:1-10
Hebrews 11:23

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Observation Questions:

What actions did Moses' parents take to protect him, and what does this reveal about their faith? [09:24]
How did Pharaoh's daughter respond upon discovering Moses, and what does this indicate about her character? [09:24]
What was Moses' reaction when he witnessed the oppression of his people, and what were the consequences of his actions? [15:04]
How did Moses' time in Midian reflect the transient nature of his life, and what did he name his son to signify this experience? [19:06]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the story of Moses' parents hiding him illustrate the concept of faith in action, and what can this teach us about trusting God's promises in difficult circumstances? [09:24]
In what ways does Pharaoh's daughter's compassion mirror God's intervention in our lives, and how does this challenge our understanding of who God can use to fulfill His purposes? [09:24]
What lessons can be learned from Moses' impulsive actions and their consequences, particularly regarding the importance of aligning our actions with God's timing? [15:04]
How does Moses' experience in Midian serve as a reminder of where true belonging is found, and what does this suggest about our relationship with God during times of displacement? [19:06]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you faced uncertainty. How did you respond, and what role did faith play in your decision-making process? How might Moses' story inspire you to trust in God's promises more fully? [09:24]
Consider a situation where you felt like the odds were against you. How can the example of Pharaoh's daughter encourage you to see God's hand at work in unexpected ways? [09:24]
Have you ever acted impulsively, thinking you were doing the right thing, only to face negative consequences? What steps can you take to ensure your actions align with God's timing and plan? [15:04]
In what ways do you feel like a foreigner in your own life, and how can you find stability in your relationship with God rather than in your circumstances? [19:06]
How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's faithfulness, especially when you feel forgotten or overlooked? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of His covenant and grace? [24:10]
Identify an area in your life where you need to let go and trust God more. What specific action can you take this week to release control and surrender to His will? [09:24]
How can you actively seek God's presence and guidance in your daily life, especially during seasons of uncertainty? What practices can help you stay connected to Him and His promises? [24:10]

Sermon Clips

"Slavery, think about oppression and then genocide, pain, grief, loss, fear was clearly the order of the day for the children of Israel. This is what is going on during the birth of Moses. Now if you feel like your situation is moving from bad to worse, fortunately we have examples from which to learn. When things just don't make sense, you know, stories like this are what we have and this is why this series is so helpful and will be so helpful for many of us." [00:03:01] (32 seconds)

"So enter Moses's parents, you know, Amram and Jochebed, you know, though initially they are not named, they were from the Levite tribe, the very lineage God would later set apart for priestly service and even intercession. They saw something special, we are told, in their child. They are recognizing that his life might have carried a divine significance, you know. You see, the thing is that every parent believes their child is special but perhaps there was something that was even more special about Moses." [00:03:33] (32 seconds)

"the more i realize that they don't teach us how to be certain about our situations you know scriptures teach us how to trust in the most high god in fact when we're told faith is confidence in what we hope for assurance about what we do not see in this i'm saying i shall do what causes me to trust god despite my situation i have confidence and trust in god in the uncertain times you know moses's parents they did not know what will happen when they let go of that basket they didn't have a guarantee but i want to believe that their trust in god was greater than pharaoh's decree it was greater than the nile's currents it was greater than their fears when you jump down to verse 5 it says then pharaoh's daughter went down to the nile to to bathe and her attendants were walking along the riverbank she saw the basket among the reeds and and she sends her female servant you know asleep to get it and she opened it and she saw the baby and he was crying she felt sorry for him and and this is one of the hebrew babies she said now now now pharaoh's daughter should have been a threat by all accounts so if she found a hebrew baby floating in the nile she was supposed to obey her father's brutal decree and have the child killed i mean that's what makes sense but that's not what happens instead the vulnerability of a crying baby melts her heart and in that" [00:05:52] (89 seconds)

"Only God I say when things don't make sense that is a perfect setup for a divine move. You see our minds are too small to grasp his master plan. His ways are higher, his thoughts beyond ours." [00:09:09] (14 seconds)

"Pharaoh's own daughter is funding the survival of the child her father had tried to kill and she has allowed the child's own mother to even take care of him. You can't make this stuff up and when the time comes for Moses even to be raised in the palace as we're going to see in a few minutes. Pharaoh the man who ordered every Hebrew baby boy to be thrown into the river raises one as his own. You see God has a way of flipping the script. He will use the people who don't even know they are being used for your breakthrough." [00:09:24] (34 seconds)

"This moment is more than just an act of kindness what the Pharaoh's daughter is doing. It is a glimpse of divine intervention working through unexpected means. God's plans are not bound or limited by man -made strategies, you know, by power structures or government and all hierarchies. He can use anyone to accomplish his will. So let us not be afraid of human beings instead let us fear God as we learned last week and live in obedience. Here's the irony even as you continue reading the Egyptian princess becomes an instrument of salvation and what's even more striking is how her actions will mirror the very heart of God. You know she does what God himself will let her do for his people. She sees the helpless child just as God sees the suffering of Israel in bondage. She hears his cries just as God will hear the groaning or hears the groaning of his oppressed people. She is moved with compassion just as God's heart is stirred for the broken and the afflicted and then she rescues him and she's foreshadowing how God will raise up a deliverer to rescue Israel." [00:10:20] (75 seconds)

"Now, Moses, though raised in Pharaoh's palace, he never lost his true identity as a Hebrew. Because remember, he was raised by his own mother." [00:14:16] (11 seconds)

"Then we anticipated. Verse 13. Then the next day we are told he went out and he saw two Hebrews fighting. And he asked the one in the wrong, why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew? You know, then the man said, who made you rule and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me, you know, as well? You know, and are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and thought, what I did must have become known. And then we are told when Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses, what does he do? He flees from Pharaoh. Now, his life is about to take a different turn." [00:16:10] (43 seconds)

"Finally, when you finish this story from verse 23, during that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help went to God. God had their groaning, and he remembered this covenant with Abraham, Isaac, with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. Now, as we close this chapter, I want to invite you to respond to this word by allowing this truth to sink deep into your heart." [00:20:53] (33 seconds)