I AM...Leading
Part of I AM—A Study of Exodus
October 1, 2023

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I AM…Leading

“Then” Stories

Do you have a “then” story? “Then” stories always include something dramatic or strange that happened before you get to the “then” part. It’s a before and after story and you have plenty of them.

For Example:

  • Before I met my spouse I was…then I…
  • Before I had kids I was judgmental, then I had my own.

A good “Then” story always includes a significant event that led to a different outcome.

We all have “Then” stories. Not only do you have “Then” stories, some of you are waiting for your “Then” story. You are not there yet. You are still living your “Now” story and desperately need your then story.

Right now, you may be waiting for your “Then.”

If you are still looking/waiting for your “Then” story, don’t stop seeking God.

Whatever your “Then” is:

  • Don’t lose sight of it.
  • Be open to receiving a new “Then” that you never anticipated.
  • That’s how God works.

The Israelites were looking for their “then” story. They were taken captive because they walked away from God. They stepped out of God’s protection and provision and once that happened, they were unprotected. The Egyptians went to war with them and took them all as captives turning them into slaves.

Some people who were born in captivity never knew freedom. They lived and died as slaves. There may have been around 2 million Hebrew slaves at the time Moses was told to lead the people out of slavery.

The Dessert

Under normal circumstances, the walk from Egypt to Israel would be around 11 days. With 2 million people it probably would have taken longer, but not 40 years

God did not have plans to lead them right to the Promised Land.

  • The younger generation what were kids when they departed Egypt needed to learn to trust God
  • The older generation needed to die.
    • They died free, but not in their homeland.
  • That’s why they when they left Egypt they went south and not west. West would have been a more direct route, south was going to be the long way.

The people would have to learn to trust that God would lead them when it seemed impossible. Taking 2 million people into the dessert with no logistical support of food, water, shelter, and clothing is not wise unless you are God.

God sent them into the wilderness so they would see Him to provide.
They had a “Now” story but not a “Then” story.

Now what?
God would soon show up.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this.”
Exodus 14:1-5

They had three options, captivity again, certain death in the dessert, or drown in the Red sea.
At least, that’s the three options they thought they had…

“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
Exodus 14:10-12

The people are still in the “Now” part of their journey.

  • Now you led us here Moses. Now you got us into more trouble.
  • Now we are going back to have it even worse.

God had not revealed what would happen next because it was a supernatural event.

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:13-14

If you demonstrate faith now, then God will lead you. If you trust God, he will lead you on His perfect timing. You need to pause, listen, and eagerly expect Him to provide for you. Often when God leads, he leads you in a way and direction you never anticipated. That’s how God works.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”

“Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”
Exodus 14:15-22

God led them through the sea, a direction they thought was impossible.
There was no way and then with God there was a way.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”
Exodus 14:26-31

This “Then” event helped the people to trust in God. It was a faith builder.
Your “Then” moments should always be faith builders.

Right now, you may be waiting for your “then” moment.

When you let God lead you, He promises to provide for you.

  • God provided a path of escape for the Israelites.
  • They didn’t expect it, they couldn’t even imagine it, yet God provided it.
  • The people were in a pinch then God parted the water.

How do you know where God is leading you?

The peace of God always points to the right decision or provision.

  • Not sure which job to take? God will always give you peace when you pray about which one.
  • Now sure who to date? God will give you peace as you pray over the person. If you don’t have peace, don’t date that person.
  • What vehicle should you buy? God will give you peace when you have the right car.

Sometimes God’s peace will be present when you consider waiting.

Seek the peace of God, that’s how you know that God is leading you.