BEING SET FREE BY GOD’S POWER
EX. 13:17-18, 21-22. 14:10-14, 21-22, 30-31
President Dwight Eisenhower spoke these words in his first inaugural address on January 20, 1953, “History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak and timid. He knew first hand the cost of victory as well as the heavy burden of freedom that follows. Charles Kingsley wrote, “There are two freedoms, the first is the false one where we believe man is free to do whatever he likes, and the second is true, where a man is free to do what he ought to do.” The story we have today is about the Israelites who were God’s people who struggled with these freedoms and I would say we also struggle with them today. Today I want us to know the mark of maturity is to learn that freedom is a tool to build our lives on. Freedom involves accepting responsibility for what we do. In Exodus 13, 14 we see ways of success in our freedom:
FOLLOWING THE LORD 13:17-22 He knows the way we are going.
When this nation came out of Egypt it was the beginning of there experience and not an ending. Some has said it took one night to get out of Egypt but it took years to get Egypt out of the nation. If they obeyed the Lord He would bring them into the Promised Land. This is learning for us today that God saves a person from sin and that is the beginning of life but comes only as we obey. God sets us free from sin and then led us through various experiences day by day so that we will know Him better and grow in faith.
1. GOD PLANS FOR THE WAY HIS PEOPLE SHOULD go 17, 18. God is never taken by surprise. He had a plan for the way he wanted his people to go. In our lives he knows and plans for the way we should go. We may not understand it or agree with it but we know his way is the best for us. “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” We can pray, “Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me.” 25:4, 5 As the Israelites were enroute there were some I am sure who said “Let us take the shortest and easiest route.” God knew the longer route would be better for them because the shortest route would bring them against forces they were not ready for. God’s way may lead us in a longer way that we may choose but he knows what we can handle and leads us in His best way. Pro. 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” God knows what He is doing and is not in a hurry. You are safe in the place where his blessing rests upon you.
2. GOD IS ALONE THE ONE TO PLACE OUR FAITH IN. 19. Joseph knew that God would not fail in His promise and he asked that his bones be carried into the Promised Land. Here it is some 400 years later and God was doing what he said. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, Joseph had said, "God will definitely come to help you.” As they carried Joseph’s coffin it reminded them of how God kept him through his life and that same God was leading them. What do you have that helps you remember God is able to lead and guide you? Whatever it is as they help your faith in the Lord continue to walk in Him.
3. GOD GOES BEFORE US TO LEAD IN HIS WAY. 20-22. What a sight that must have been. A cloud by day and a pillar of light by night that all the people could see. This light was an angel of the Lord. We have angels all around us today. This cloud sheltered the people from the hot burning sun of the day. God shelters us from the heat of the devil’s assault on us. The Word of God is with us today which is a light and a fire. This light back then gave light to the Israelites but darkness to the Egyptians as today the light of God’s word is for believers but those without God do not understand it. The Spirit of God who is the Spirit of truth guides us today by giving the true meaning of the Word. We are not to take a vote today as to which part of God’s word we are to believe or decide among ourselves how God is leading.
TRUSTING THE LORD 14:1-30 GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WE CAN REALLY TRUST Moses was to lead these people and it was to him that God gave the instructions what to do. There are many today that have gone astray from where they should be spiritually because they refused to follow the spiritual leader God has given them. The Red Sea really shows us this clearly.
1. THE ENEMY PURSUES 14:1-9. Moses knew before what would happen. 1-4. The Israelites had gone and then Pharaoh knew the economy of Egypt was not good with all those people gone. He decided to get his army together and bring them back. The enemy they thought was gone now is coming to get them. What the enemy did not know is that God was in charge and they would come to ruin. Pharaoh got 600 of his best chariots and 80,000 marching men to chase after those wandering in a wilderness with no army or a fighting chance. I like to read these stories of seemingly hopeless situations but God is in control.
2. THE PEOPLE PANIC 10-12. As long as the people kept their eyes on the pillar of fire and followed the Lord they walked by faith and the enemy could not harm them. Once they looked back and saw the enemy they became alarmed and began to complain. I find that any time a person of faith takes their eyes off of Jesus they lose their joy and become complainers. When they do not pray and seek God’s best they become nit-pickers and make life miserable for others and themselves. Why is it that when everything is going well the way we want it to we are obedient to God? Here we see as happens today, when trial and discomfort comes they begin to complain against their leader and want to go back to a life of bondage? What does it take in your life of some disappointment or discomfort to make you unhappy and become a complainer and not a praiser? “We walk by faith and not by sight.” When we leave the path of God’s promises we start believing the worst can happen and affect the faith of those around us. These people were sure they were now going to die in the wilderness. When Moses had first confronted Pharaoh he made it hard on the people and they complained to Moses about it. Now they look and see his army coming and there was no seeming way of escape. They had just a short time ago seen God do many miracles but their unbelief now bottomed out their faith.
3. GOD SHOWS HIS AWESOME POWER. 13-30. Moses was a man of faith and knew that this army was no match to the power of God. So he shouts out “Fear not!” “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” They had to have faith to march out of Egypt now they were to see God’s power again. Moses also told them to be still and that would mean no more crying or complaining or criticizing. Unbelief complains but faith obeys. “Know that I am God.” God would take care of the problem without their help. “Go forward” was the command. God always is showing the way to go but we must go. In Ps 77 it tells us that when the winds came there was also a rains storm. After the nation crossed on dry ground the rain made the earth muddy again and the chariot wheels got stuck. All night long the nation heard the wind blowing and wondering why God was taking that long. It had to be a big path for them to get across. The people crossed and when Pharaoh’s army came through after them their chariot wheels came off and then God sent the waters of the sea on them. The bodies of this army now washed up on the dry land where the people were. God knows the way you are going. He knows the enemy that is pursuing you. God has the power to set you free.
GOD KNOWS
When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts ~God knows how hard you have tried.
When you’ve cried so long and your heart is in anguish ~God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by ~God is waiting with you.
When you’re lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call ~God is by your side.
When you think you’ve tried everything and don’t know where to turn ~God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated ~God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope ~God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for ~God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe ~God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow ~God has opened your eyes and called you by name.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing...GOD KNOWS!!
