Surviving the Wilderness

Exodus 13:17–18 NLT

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

Introduction:

God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. We often get anxious and want today what is meant for tomorrow.

I mentioned to someone recently that I would love to play the piano, I just don’t want to do any practicing or hard work. I just want to be able to play.

That is often how we treat life not realizing that God often works His plan through a process.

God had a plan for His people but they wandered for 40 years through the wilderness. Its in the wilderness times of our lives that Satan does his best work.

So, how does one survive the wilderness?

Realize there are some things you are not meant to change. You are only meant to survive.

The Israelites did not take a direct route to the promised land, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

We saw the Judean desert and cannot imagine what it was like for the children of Israel leaving Egypt.

Images of travels. (take a few seconds and talk about travel)

Israel was not meant to change the wilderness, the wilderness was meant to change them.

The wilderness was a screening process.

They went from place to place - image of map

When the spies went in to gather intel - only Joshua and Caleb believed God (Numbers 13)

Notice it was God that led them into the wilderness.

Sometimes the wilderness that you find yourself in is a place where God has sent you to refine you.

You may have to address people’s unwillingness to change - discuss the 2.5 tribes that stayed on the other side of the Jordan (Rueben, Gad, 1/2 Mannaseh)

Some people are content in standing still but that is not what God is wanting. Some of you may not be here at this time next year. ( are you going to be stubborn or will you submit to what God is wanting to do? )

You are not meant to change the wilderness, it is meant to change you!

Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances.

The things that you are going through are transitions. They are here today and gone tomorrow.

We tend to generalize, using words like always and never i.e., “It will always be this way!” “It’s never going to get better!”

The Israelites made decisions based on temporary circumstances based on the wilderness.

The report from 10 spies - Numbers 13:27…

The report from Joshua and Caleb

The Israelites chose poorly and none of them saw the promised land - only Joshua and Caleb

Prayer has to become a reality in your life during these times. Don’t just talk about praying, make time to be alone with God.

Pray before you act

Don’t make decisions on temporary circumstances - instead take it to God in prayer!

Remember you have an appointment with destiny.

Satan is the enemy of your soul and his purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to kill the will of God in your life by derailing you, making you focus on circumstances instead of focusing on God.

Whatever you magnify is what you see.

You can magnify the circumstances and make God smaller or out of the picture

Or you can magnify God and make the circumstance smaller

Your circumstances are not your purpose. Your purpose is greater than anything you are going through!

Eve - Genesis 3:20 “Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.”

At one point in her life all she could see was one dead son and the other banished for murderer

God was not set back or thrown off by these circumstances. He knew what would happen and knew how to deal with it

God did not have to change plans, He already had a plan for her:

Genesis 4:25 “Adam had sexual relations with his wife again, and she gave birth to another son. She named him Seth, for she said, “God has granted me another son in place of Abel, whom Cain killed.””

Seth means “appointed or substitute”

Seth was not a plan B or fix to what Cain destroyed

God already had the plan to bring His promise to fulfillment

He still does - He is not finished

God knew that everything you would need would be found in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:19 “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 6:33 “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

God is not finished working

Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Conclusion:

Satan may have set his sights on you and you are thrown a little of course, but God’s plan for you is still at work.

Satan might delay the plan but he cannot stop it.

You have a hope and a future that is directed by God. and no one or nothing can stop Him.

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”

Altar Call

If you have never made a commitment to follow Christ, you need to do that before anything else.

If you have been stuck in the wilderness for far too long, its time to talk with God. Have you been stubborn and unwilling to surrender to His plan? Come get it right with Him.

Maybe you have let the enemy take you off course, and you need to come and let God remind you of who you are in Him. Come and lets talk it over! THESE ALTARS ARE OPEN

There really shouldn't be any reason that the altars are empty, we all have some reason to get here. Its time for you to move.