God's Plans Vs Our Circumstances Series

Sermon Series “Exodus”

6:6-8

“God’s Plans vs Our Circumstances”

Pastor John Bright

Exodus 6 “6 Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.’ ”

A bunch of stuff happens to each of us every day:

• Blessings and bad

• Frustrations and fun

Most days we muddle through and nothing big happens. As Christians we try to stay on track with God’s plans (that’s what I have been teaching on the last few weeks) and we, as Christians, tend to believe that if we do what God wants – nothing bad will happen – especially if we heed those “warning signs” in the Bible.

Check out the cartoon on your Teaching Sheet. That’s how we feel somedays when the big stuff comes at us from “out of the blue.”

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We left Moses last week in the Problem Passage of 4:24-26. Three verses later he is with Aaron in Egypt speaking to the elders/leaders of the Israelites. They are doing just what God told them to do and Chapter 4 ends with them worshiping God. Then, as instructed by God, they go to Pharaoh in Chapter 5. In response, Pharaoh makes more work for the Israelites

Moses and Aaron do exactly what God told them to do - So, of course, things get worse! Exodus 5 “18 Therefore go now and work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the quota of bricks.” 19 And the officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble after it was said, “You shall not reduce any bricks from your daily quota.”

They had a quota (minimum number) of bricks to make each day and the Egyptians gave them the ingredient they needed (straw). Now, they have to get their own straw. Like a lot of jobs today – expected to do more work in less time with the same output.

Do we have an expectation that when we obey God it will always go well for us? Joseph did what was right and ended up in prison – Genesis 39. John the Baptist was beheaded. Almost all the original Apostles were tortured and executed. Christ suffered horrible pain and torment to fulfill God’s will for you and me. He died for our salvation – not our comfort.

When their circumstances changed - their work is increased and “the officers” are beaten, they turn on Moses and Aaron. What they say is, “You made it worse for us, not better.” All they can see are their present circumstances… sound familiar? Reminds me of what happened in Matthew 8 “23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” I think they really screamed… “HELP!” The end of the story is Jesus rebuking them for not having faith and He calms the storm. There is a Contemporary Christian song with the chorus: “Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms His child.” (Sometimes He Calms the Storm by Scott Krippayne)

God is always greater than our circumstances - but there are still hard times we have to go through. WHY? (That’s the classic question of a Christian in the midst of a storm… but add one more word: WHY ME?) God has many reasons to allow storms in our lives. These are just three of them

• We turn to God in prayer – “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” James 5:13

• We find endurance/patience – “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces patient endurance.” Romans 5:3

• We learn that this world is not our home - “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20

Moses questions the plan and God confirms the plan – Beginning in 5:22, Moses explains the present circumstances to God. Ever do that? Explain to God like He doesn’t know what you are going through? Next time you catch yourself doing that, try this: STOP & LAUGH. (Really – it will help you see the silliness of telling the God of the Universe what is going on)