INTRODUCTION
• SLIDE #1
• Today we are at the beginning of the end of our journey with the Israelites as God has been delivering them to the Promised Land.
• Have you ever been given instructions that you thought were just crazy?
• Have you ever had a boss tell you to do something a certain way; but instead of listening, you thought your idea was better?
• Then, you did the task your way, only to find out that your way, though seemingly easier was not the best way.
• Later, you found out that had you had more information, you would have understood why your boss asked you to carry out the task the way he did.
• In this point in our narrative, Pharaoh has let the people leave Egypt.
• Now for the first time in 430 years, the nation is on the path to freedom.
• Now will come the real test for the nation, will they accept God's guidance, or will the fight God each step of the way?
• When you consider the path of your life, have you been one who has been open to allowing God to give you guidance, or are you one of those who believes that you are blazing your own trial and walking your own path?
• For the Israelites, they will soon come to realize that even though free, they still need guidance in life.
• One of the things we need to understand about life is the fact that God wants to give you guidance.
• The reason for this is the fact that God is sovereign, He knows what is best for you and what the best path is for your life.
• When is it all said and done today, I hope that we can see that God is sovereign over our lives, in the big things and the small?
• We need to understand that we can have real peace in life when we trust that God is in charge.
• Let’s being by turning to Exodus 13:17-19
• SLIDE #2
• Exodus 13:17–19 (CSB) — 17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.” 18 So he led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear a solemn oath, saying, "God will certainly come to your aid; then you must take my bones with you from this place."
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. God’s guidance: Is not always the easy route.
• The Israelites are making their way out of the city of Rameses with the loot that God allowed them to take.
• It was time to head to the Promised Land!
• These folks needed guidance, and God was prepared to give it to them.
• But there is going to be a small catch.
• 17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; …
• Sometimes it is easy to think that if God is guiding us, it will be easy peasy.
• Life will be easy; the path will be the shortest path from point A to point B.
• SLIDE #4 MAP
• POINT OUT MAJOR ROADS.
• There was a road that would have looked easy for the nation to follow right into the Promised Land; however, God was going to guide them in a different direction.
• Have you ever thought that if God were guiding you, the path would be quick and easy?
• If I were in the sandals of the Israelites, I would assume that since God freed me from those nasty Egyptians, that we would be in the Promised Land in no time at all!
• I cannot tell you how many times I have been frustrated by God when I ask for guidance in the area, like patience. ?
• You know where I am going with this, don't you?
• When I ask for patience, I WANT IT NOW!
• WHY ON YOUR GREEN EARTH DO YOU HAVE TO SEND ME DOWN FRY BLVD TO WALMART TO WAIT IN LINE ALL DAY?
• I mean really, I do not want to LEARN patience, I WANT you to GIVE it to me NOW!
• DO you feel me! ?
• CAN I GET AN AMEN? ?
• Anyway, one of the things we need to grasp concerning God’s guidance is that God does not always take us down the quick and easy route!
• Do you ever wonder why?
• What do you see on this slide?
• SLIDE #5
• The NUMBER 26- Red color-blind folks will see the 6 and maybe the 2. Green color-blind people will see the 2 and possibly the 6.
• What about this one?
• SLIDE #6
• People with normal vision or who are totally color-blind should not see any number, those with red, green color-blindness should see a 5.
• So why did I put these pictures on the screen?
• for God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.” 18 So he led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation.
• In this passage, God leads his people in a specific way to deliver them, even though another way was shorter (vv. 17–18).
• God knew what would be best for them in the long run, and he could see what was up ahead, so he took them a direction that might have seemed odd at first.
• It may seem to us that God’s way is the long way, the odd way, the harder way, even the wrong way sometimes.
• But when we trust that God’s plans are for our good and that he can see things we can’t, we can follow his direction with less anxiety.
• So God can see things we cannot possibly see because of His sovereignty. Since God is the supreme power and in control of all creation, He can see pitfalls we cannot possibly see.
• Wouldn’t you like to follow the guidance of someone who could see all the pitfalls in your path so you can avoid them?
• SLIDE #7
• This is old school. Youth, Google the Mr. Bill Show. ? Love me some Mr. Bill!
• Always remember, God’s path to escape the Egyptians was noticeably longer than other ways to get to the Red Sea.
• But God is not interested in making good time. He is concerned with our ultimate well-being and our faith in him.
• Let’s turn to verses 20-22
• SLIDE #8
• Exodus 13:20–22 (CSB) — 20 They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 The LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night so that they could travel day or night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.
• SLIDE #9
II. God’s guidance: God lights the path.
• When God guides, He lights the path.
• In this case, God led the Israelites with a visible pillar of fire and cloud.
• Unfortunately, we do not have that same pillar of cloud to lead us in the day, and a pillar of fire to lead us at night.
• We might think that such a powerful and visible display of God’s presence would be nice to have sometimes, especially in seasons when it seems like we are going through difficulty or feeling desperate for God’s specific guidance for a decision.
• Since we do not have the cloud and pillar of fire to lead us, how do we know that God is guiding our thoughts and path?
• One of my favorite passages on the subject comes from the book of Proverbs.
• SLIDE #10
• Proverbs 3:5–6 (CSB) — 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.
• In a February 9, 2003 article from Anne Graham Lotz entitled, How To seek God’s Guidance she states:
• "Often I am asked, ‘Anne, I have a major decision to make. How can I know if it is in God's will? In response, I usually begin by explaining that when an airplane comes into land during the night, the controller tells the pilot to line up the runway lights.
• When the lights are kept in a straight line, the pilot can be assured that he is landing in the center of the runway.
• When you and I are making a decision ‘in the dark,’ we also can line up the ‘runway lights’ that assure us our decision is in the center of God’s will.
• The four-runway lights that I use to determine God's will in making a decision are:
• EXPOUND!
o 1. The confirmation of God’s Word, EXPOUND
o 2. My inner conviction, EXPOUND
o 3. Practical circumstances, EXPOUND
o 4. The counsel of godly, mature Christian friends” EXPOUND
• God’s presence never left them. God presence is with you also!
• While we might not get a visible pillar of fire leading us down a road, we can be confident that God will keep his promise to us in his Word, that if we need wisdom about anything, he will give it to us generously (see James 1:5).
• Let’s turn to chapter 14:1-4
• SLIDE #11
• Exodus 14:1–4 (CSB) — 1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses: 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth (PIE A HIGH RA), between Migdol (MIG DOLL) and the sea; you must camp in front of Baal-zephon (BAIL ZEE PHON), facing it by the sea. 3 Pharaoh will say of the Israelites: They are wandering around the land in confusion; the wilderness has boxed them in. 4 I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So the Israelites did this.
• SLIDE #12
III. God’s guidance: Leads to His glory.
• God’s guidance will lead to His glory.
• When you first think of this, you may be tempted to believe this is somewhat narcissistic of God. He is going to guide me so HE can get the glory!
• When God took the nation the long way, He had a plan.
• 3 Pharaoh will say of the Israelites: They are wandering around the land in confusion; the wilderness has boxed them in. 4 I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them.
• God wanted the Egyptians to pursue. He hardened Pharaoh's heart which triggered his desire to pursue the Israelites.
• Pharaoh did not think much of the Israelites, so him deciding to go back after them after being humiliated is no surprise.
• Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.”
• So how does it benefit me for God to be glorified for His guidance in my life?
• Here is but a couple in no particular order.
• First, to build confidence. Without confidence in God, there really can be no faith and trust. IF you do not have confidence that God can move mountains, why would you try?
• If God cannot move mountains, then He cannot move yours, and you will live in defeat and discouragement.
• Second, Him being glorified validates who He is and what He can do.
• When the Egyptians left, that could be explained in a number of ways that may not involve God.
• However, the parting of the Red Sea and the subsequent destruction of a portion of Pharaoh’s army, that my friend is a miracle that can only be explained by God.
• By the way, this validation also will help build your faith.
• As you see God working in your life, it validates who He is, and it also gives evidence to others concerning how great our God is.
• On a personal note, I feel my life is a testimony of God’s power, He took a knucklehead like me and changed me, my life and the lives of many I have had the privilege of knowing.
• My God is a BIG God who can do BIG things!
CONCLUSION
• My God can move mountains, parts the waters for safe crossing, He can create something out of nothing with His voice.
• He can change lives and change hearts, and His grace is SO big that HE could save a sinner like me!
• That is the God I serve, what about you!
• We need to remember, God is sovereign over our lives, in the big things and the small.
• We also need to know that we can have true peace when we trust that God is in charge.
• Whose guidance will you seek for living life!
