LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 12 MARCH 2023
EXODUS 14 VERSES 10 - 18
As the children of Israel marched from the land of Egypt, affliction and terror was behind them but the Lord was with them. God intervened and raised up Moses to lead his people on the right way. There was clear guidance from the Lord in the darkness of the night and in the light of day. The Children of Israel had a great leader and clear guidance from God to take them forward. On their heels where the chariots of Pharaoh. When the Children of Israel raised their eyes and saw them coming towards them it cast a spirit of defeatism. As far as they were concerned it was all over. It would be better to turn back, better to be under the slavery of the Egyptians. God was leading them forward. God spoke and told them to move forward because he would be with them. The Christian life is full of twists and trials, difficulties. It is crucial to take our eyes off the circumstances and continue to go forward with God. There are a number of truths to point out.
We need to go forward despite the problems that defeat us. This was on another level. The present circumstances gave no opportunity for the future. Verse 10. The strong enemy was coming behind them. They stood unarmed, defenceless. A great army was behind and the sea was before them. They looked and saw all the obstacles but they failed to look at the pillar of fire. As long as they fixed their eyes on the Lord they were safe but the moment they took their eyes off the Lord and looked back at the enemy they became greatly afraid. The Lord wants us to make spiritual progress and it will never happen if we keep our eyes on the problems. We will stop making advances but on the Lord we will make progress. What problems are we facing today? Problems focus on the enemy. They found difficulty in turning their eyes with the Egyptians coming behind them. Focus on the Lord totally. You might find it hard to fix your eyes on what is ahead but you must look to the Lord. There may be no hope for the future but looking to God will give a clear direction for the future. They thought their past was more promising that their future. Verse 11. In the midst of the great trouble the people of God had a great change of heart and mind. They complained about the present circumstances. They were doubting the Lord to do great and mighty things. All of a sudden the Lord's arm was not shortened that he was unable to work miracles. They doubted the almighty power. How could thy doubt it? The goodness of God could never be false. It is easy to put full confidence in the Lord when all is going well. However, the moment opposition and trouble arise our faith is turned to fear. Total dependence on the Lord is turned to doubt. Does our faith in Lord remain strong when difficulties comes? Do we continue to depend completely on the Lord or like the Children of Israel do we start complaining to the servant of God about the way of God? They complained to Moses and asked to go back to Egypt. That was more promising and convincing than their present state. How much disappointment does it take us to make us unhappy with the Lord's will? The people of God were thinking of their present with no prospects for the future. The past was more promising than the future. Is this not the word of God? Verse 12 The people were convinced the enemy would catch up with them and thy would die in the wilderness. They challenged Moses, they should have been left down in Egypt. They thought they had it better in Egypt. As far as the people were concerned Moses was to blame. When the hand of God is forgotten people start to imagine the worst scenario. The people of God thought it best to stay in Egypt - if we had remained in Egypt we would not be experiencing this now. They were living in the moment of regret. No need to regret because if we are following the will of God we have no need to fear God. The will of God will not lead you where the grace of God cannot lead you.
Go forward depending on the power that holds. Moses listened to the people, gave them a word of encouragement, assured them of God's intervention. God is able to work in the midst of hopeless situations. When the child of God goes forward in God's strength there is no need to fear. Verse 13. What a word of calmness for those captivated by the enemy. They had no need to despair. Matthew Henry said "we need not look on those enemies we fear who God looks on with contempt." Is there something in your life that causes you to fear? Are you fearful of those things which are behind you or of those things in front of you? God takes care of our past, present and future. He is the same yesterday, today and forever therefore we need not fear. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea I will help thee; year I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41 verse 10 ) It is worth noting that there are 365 "fear nots" throughout the word of God, one for every day of the year. Take hold of them. There is no need to fear when we depend on the one who holds us Just as the people were about to flee in every direction Moses told them to stand still and wait on the Lord. They had just marched out of Egypt in the will of God and now they were commanded to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. We feel an obligation to be active when things seem so fatal. Standing still may be the most difficult thing to do but it may be the most effective way to solve our problems. The people could have thought it was mad to stand still but it was the best course of action. Standing still when facing difficulties is not what we want to do but it is the best thing we can do. Quite often we go through circumstances that are out of our control. We are powerless to do anything, therefore it is right to stand still and allow the Lord to have his way. Psalm 46 verse 10 "be still and know that I am God." When we depend on the power that holds us there is no need to fear or to fight. Verse 14 "the Lord shall fight for you." Moses was confident that all the chariots of Pharaoh would be brought to nought and he imparted that to the people. He directed them to bring their fears to the Lord. What is burdening your heart right now? Are you grappling with something that is way beyond your ability, out of your control? Don't fight it. Take your burden to the Lord in prayer and leave it with him. "Cast thy burden with the Lord and he shall sustain thee." (Psalm 55 verse 22) The Lord will fight for you and he will sort it. "Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there" the hymnwriter said. When we depend on the power that holds us there is nothing that we need fear or fight.
Go forward deploying the plan that helps us. God has plans to deliver the Children of Israel, to defeat the enemy. It was personal - verse 16. The way forward was through the sea. God needed the obedience of one mere man to fulfil his plan. The Lord is still looking for willing and obedient servants to accomplish his plans. The Lord wants to perform wonders through you and your life but you must be obedient to his commands. You might say "what can I do for the Lord, what can the Lord do through me? I have nothing to give." All the Lord asked was for Moses to be obedient, to stretch out his hands over the sea. The way of escape for the people would be made. The Lord takes the small insignificant things we have and shows wonders for his glory but we must be obedient. God can use us and our resources - 1 Corinthians 1 verse 27. The plan was powerful - verse 17. Observe the language of the Lord "I will harden ... I will get me honour." The people of God could see it all unfolding around them. God was doing a work in the heart of the enemy. God is sovereign and he rules over all the affairs of man. He will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, lead them into destruction. Unknown to them they were marching to ruination. Their hearts became so hardened they followed the Israelites into the Red Sea. When they arrived at the other side Moses stretched out his hand again and the sea closed over. God delighted to bring deliverance to his people. He would bring an end to their enemies. We can say that God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. God has the power to deliver in any situation and to perform wonders beyond our imagination. Ephesians 3 verse 20. The plan was also purposeful - verse 18. God could have delivered his people any other way but there was a purpose in delivering them this way - the Egyptians would know that there was a God in heaven looking over and fighting for his people. "and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord." God works wonderfully to show forth his majesty and mastery. May we see the Lord in our day and generation doing reckless things for us so that all those who seek to stand against God's will will know that there is a God in heaven. God wants to take us forward with him both individually and collectively.
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