The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth that the things which has happened with Israel in the O.T. took place to be examples for us today. The passage that we have before us is just that. The nation of Israel were at a point that many of us have been, are now, or one day will be. They were "between a rock and a hard place".
That saying describes a host of situations doesn’t it? Times when we find ourselves struggling with the circumstances about us. Sometimes frightened, and often frustrated knowing not what to do. Seemingly there was no way out!
I. Difficulties Are Not That Significant.
A. Note: 1 Peter 4:12
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"
B. Peter reminds us that trials are a normal part of the Christian life.
C. More so than the wicked!
1. In Psalm 73, the psalmist begins by complaining that the wicked prosper.
2. While those who seek to do righteous have troubles.
3. He says that he nearly slipped because of looking at what he thought was something totally unfair.
4. God let him see that their time was coming!
5. "It ain’t over, ‘till it’s over!"
II. God is in Control.
A. Israel went as God directed them.
1. They weren’t on their own out in the wilderness, God was leading them every step of the way.
2. They found themselves in difficult straits.
3. But, they were exactly in the will of God.
B. Our difficulties, and those of others do not prove anything concerning God.
1. Sometimes folks say, "How could God allow this to happen to this person?"
2. In reality some are of our own making.
3. But often, they are by God’s direction or allowance
C. God is Sovereign!
1. That means He chooses to do what He wills whenever and with whoever.
2. God was working out His plan and purposes on Pharaoh.
a. He assumed they were trapped.
b. He saw his opportunity for revenge.
c. He was angry with God and was ready to take it out against His people, Israel.
3. God was also working out His plan for Israel.
a. They were being used of God to accomplish His purposes.
b. Those purposes were not immediately understood by Israel.
c. But they would have benefit for them if they would learn to obey.
4. Just as no man stands alone, no trial comes alone.
a. Our lives and all that happens are a part of God’s plan and purposes being worked out in and through us.
b. Our self-centeredness keeps us from seeing what God is doing.
III. There is a Personal Purpose in Difficulties.
A. God had His reasons with Israel.
1. He knew what they were going to face in the days to come.
2. He wanted to provide them a "sample" of His miraculous power.
3. He wanted to remove a powerful force from harming them.
4. He wanted to arm them for coming battles.
5. The whole thing was instructive and preparatory, He was not punishing them!
B. If they had not been brought to this point they could not have seen God’s great power in working a double miracle.
1. He delivered them and Egypt was destroyed.
2. Both were done in one basic act.
C. There are things that God wants to show us, and He brings us to places in our lives just like this in order to do so.
IV. Our Reactions to Difficulties are Very Important.
A. Note the way Israel reacted. v10-12
1. They feared the enemy. "...and they were sore afraid..."
2. They got angry with God.
3. They got angry with Moses.
4. They said things they really didn’t mean.
5. They established bad patterns for dealing with difficulties that would come later.
B. Note the way that they should have reacted. v13-14
1. "Fear ye not"
2. "Stand still" (be calm, don’t lose it)
3. "See the salvation of the Lord" (look for what God is doing through this trial or difficulty)
4. "The Lord will fight for you" (trust Him to take care of the situation)
5. "Ye shall hold your peace" (stop complaining and listen)
C. What it teaches us.
1. Our reactions in difficulties usually don’t determine where we will come out, they just determine whether or not we will benefit from the experience
2. God often brings us into difficulties so that He can bring us to our knees.
3. If you are without Christ, He may allow you to come between a rock and a hard place so that you will turn to the Lord for deliverance.
4. As believers, He brings us into hard places to try our faith.
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" (1 Pet 1:7)
What about you today? Are you between a rock and a hard place? Do you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances? Feel like God is not listening or doesn’t care?
Learn from this passage. God knows exactly what you are going through. He has a plan and you are part of it! And so are the difficulties that He has allowed to come into your life. Trust Him today.
If you have never accepted Him as your Savior, trust Him for salvation. If you are a believer, trust Him for strength and deliverance through the trials.
1. "Fear ye not"
2. "Stand still" (be calm, don’t lose it)
3. "See the salvation of the Lord" (look for what God is doing through this trial or difficulty)
4. "The Lord will fight for you" (trust Him to take care of the situation)
5. "Ye shall hold your peace" (stop complain- ing and listen for His voice)