God of Promises...Nothing can stop God's Plans

Anchor Verse…Joshua 1:8

Joshua 1:8 AMP

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

The Israelites are the children of Abraham. It looked like they had met their doom at the Red Sea, but God provided a miracle for them. There is nothing that can stop God from fulfilling His plans!

Easy Isn’t Always Right

We find Israel in a seemingly impossible situation. A Sea in front of them and an Egyptian army behind them. Moses being faithful to what the Lord had commanded him to do had led them into this situation.

The Lord had led them out of Egypt heading south toward Pi Hahiroth. Somewhere west of the Red Sea. It’s interesting that the Lord could have sent them in any direction, but He chose this way. He could have delivered them any way that He wanted, but none would have as spectacular!

Pharaoh thinks they’re lost and sets out to destroy them.

Exodus 14:5–7 AMP

It was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, What is this we have done? We have let Israel go from serving us! And he made ready his chariots and took his army, And took 600 chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.

How many times have you known that you were in the middle of God’s will, and thought there has to be a better way! God’s will doesn’t generally mean it’s the easiest route. However, you know when it finally works out that only God could have done this!

The Going Gets Tough

Israelites looked and saw the Egyptians coming. Obviously, what they saw was terrifying.

Exodus 14:10 AMP

When Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked up, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and the Israelites were exceedingly frightened and cried out to the Lord.

When they saw this Army coming after them, they struck with fear and disbelief. They began to cry out to the Lord. His response…why are you crying out to me?

The Tough Get Going

There will come a time when it’s time to stop asking, and go to work. The Lord has told you, and equipped you for the work. Now, go to work!!!

Exodus 14:13–16 AMP

Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. The Lord said to Moses, Why do you cry to Me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward! Lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the Israelites shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

We may sometimes find ourselves in tough places. We may be paralyzed with fear, discouragement or disbelief. His instructions are simple...

Ephesians 6:10–18 AMP

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding on behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

If you’ve made the decision to live for the Lord, you might as well know that there’s someone out there wanting to destroy you and discourage God’s plan and purpose for your life! So stand in His strength! Move forward into what seems impossible and watch the Lord work out a miracle before you.

Exodus 14:21–27 AMP

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land; and the waters were divided. And the Israelites went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the Lord through the pillar of fire and cloud looked down on the host of the Egyptians and discomfited [them], And bound (clogged, took off) their chariot wheels, making them drive heavily; and the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians! Then the Lord said to Moses, Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and horsemen. So Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength and normal flow when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled into it [being met by it]; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians and shook them off into the midst of the sea.

Nothing Can Stop God’s Plans

It was a small act of obedience on the part of Moses. It was a small act of obedience on the part of the people that would bring about one of the greatest miracles ever! Moses raised a staff, and Israel moved forward. God did the rest!!!

Isaiah 54:17 AMP

But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.

God had assured the people that He would defend them. All they had to do was to have faith in and trust God’s word.