The Exit You Didn’t Plan

Sermon Title: The Exit You Didn’t Plan

Main Text: 2 Kings 3:16

2 Kings 3:16 ESV

16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’

For the next few moments I want to speak under the subject entitled:

The Exit You Didn’t Plan

Prayer

Father, we need a word from the Lord. Just one word, will move all doubts

And cause the sun to shine And give peace of mind Speak Lord.

Open up our ears that we may hear your word,

Open up our eyes that we may see your word,

Open up our minds that we may understand your word,

And open up our hearts that we may receive your word.

It’s your time father, do what you do, in Jesus name, Amen.

Introduction

The great historian preacher and theologian, Charles Spurgeon once stated, “Man's way leads to a hopeless end – God’s way leads to an endless hope.” (say x2)

If you have read both 1st and 2nd Kings you have observed that this quote is quite relevant to these books. Here in 1st and 2nd Kings, the reader is able to see the children of Israel playing tug-of-war between doing things their way, and doing things God’s way.

When you read these books, what may confuse you is how historical it’s tone is. For anyone who have read through the books of Kings, you have probably said to yourself that these books are historical collections.

And quite frankly, you wouldn’t be totally misguided. For others who have read these books, you’ve probably came to the realization that these books are about miracles performed by Elijah and Elisha. And once again, you wouldn’t be completely misguided.

But I want to show you something here. See what many of us have missed in these 2 books are the fact that God uses the collections of the history recorded here and the miracles by His prophets to reveal to us that there are lessons we can learn from history to elevate our present and future.

As Spanish-American Philosopher, George Santayana (Santa-yea-na) stated, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

In other words, 1st and 2nd Kings teaches us the importance of avoiding making the same mistakes as those before us, while also revealing the power and authority of God when going through dark times.

Background

See here in 1st and 2nd Kings, we find a people called the Israelites who are God’s people and they have been purposed to live out on the earth the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven.

However, the problem is that God’s people, instead of being the painted canvas to others of the what living in Kingdom on earth should look like, they find themselves desiring and mirroring the people and countries around them.

See the 1st & 2nd Kings start out with them being led by King Solomon and they are prosperous… even to the point that they built the temple, which if you didn’t know was a big deal.

The interesting thing is by time we finish reading the 2 book of Kings, they have a weak King, and the temple is destroyed. See as you read these books you begin to see a trend of terrible Kings who have decided that doing things God’s way wasn’t as important as doing things their own way.

However, the powerful lesson we are able to see here is that while the Kings of Israel have failed, there is always Thee King who is in place. In other words, the little k’s, never replace or hinder the power of the Big K.

And this is an important lesson that I hope you all grasp today. See I hope you all have been taking notes already because I already started preaching.

See here we are on August 30th, and for so many of us, we have shown up in this church with a lot of clocked in time for developing our own plans.

Many of us developed health plans this year, our personal love plans this year, our career plans, our travel plans, our family plans and the truth of the matter is that like most of times in our past, many of us developed plans and did not spend time with God and say, God whats your plan for my life.

Yall, not gonna like me right about here…

Just like the Kings of Israel, and children of Israel, we have already set in place plans we have, but have not met with the Lord to download the plans He has for us.

And the reality is that many of us have been at this place of self-reliance because we don’t have the faith and trust in God to have complete control over the plans in our lives.

And I believe we can find a glimpse of ourselves in our sermonic text today. See as we arrive in the parking lot of 2 Kings 3 we are cleared to enter the arena of a battle. Church family, I invite you to take your seats as the battle is in full effect.

Here we find the King of Israel being that of Jehoram who is the son of the former King of Israel, Ahab. We are able to realize in the first verse, that Ahab has died which picks up what we see in 1st Kings 22.

And we learn off the bat, that King Jehoram is not a good King but wasn’t as bad as his father and mother. As you remember, we find in 1 Kings 16 that Ahab was the worst King ever up to that point in God eyes. And to make matters worst, King Ahab married, Jezebel.

Remember Ahab and Jezebel were so bad that the prophet of God by the name of Elijah went into depression and became suicidal because of how wicked they were.

And here in 2 Kings 3, we meet their son.

Backstory to 2 Kings 3: 1-12

And even though he was not like his father and mother, the Bible says that he did evil in the sight of the Lord. In other words, he led Israel in the way of sin, rather than righteousness.

And here in chapter 3 we find King Jehoram dealing with a dilemma because Israel is dealing with some drama with their enemies called Moab. See Moab and Israel have been beefing for a minute. It’s worst than Kendrick and Drake.

See things got intense because under the reign of King Ahab, Jehoram’s father, the Moabites were dealing with great oppression and they had been going through a terrible time based on what King Ahab was doing.

So when King Ahab died, this was the time for Moab to rise up and take back their authority and dignity. It is believed that here in 2 Kings 3, we are about a year into the leadership of Jehoram.

And the King of Moab, who is called Mesha has been resistant and rebellious toward Jehoram. So, as a result, listen closely so you don’t miss the sermon…

Jehoram puts a plan together to put Mesha and Moab back in their place.

Please, don’t miss this…

And this is the scene in this arena that I need you to zoom in on here. Because I believe as we journey through life, many of us need to recognize that our plans will not sustain us or even direct us into the places that are best for us. See what God has for us is a whole lot better than what you and I have.

And here is the central truth or the main idea of this entire sermon. You might want to write this down.

True prosperity doesn’t come from the plans we make for ourselves, but from trusting God’s direction, because His plans always lead to life. (3x)

And today, I believe what we will see in this story will help us appreciate and subscribe to the plans of God, over the plans of ourselves. So here we go…

Homiletics

Subject:

The question must be asked today, why should we subscribe to the plans God has for our life?

I believe that we find 2 specific lessons to help us answer this question today. So let’s get to work… Are you ready?

We should subscribe to the plans God’s has for us…

Compliments

Because God’s plan can transform what we’ve given up on.

What we find here in our text is that Jehoram is in his planning stages and he asks his ally who is none other than the one who was with his daddy at war, and that is King Jehoshaphat who is King of Judah. He asks Jehoshaphat to fight with him and put Moab in their place. And of course Jehoshaphat was like bet, I’m with you brodie.

Yall don’t believe me… I’m in the Bible, I’m in verse 7. Come read it with me…

2 Kings 3:7 ESV

7 And he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to battle against Moab?” And he said, “I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

See yall thought I was lying…. Jehoshaphat was like, fam I’m with.

Now look at what happens here. Jehoram and Jehoshaphat starts discussing, what the plan is and how to carry out the plan.

Are you still with me church family?

So, the plan is presented in verse 8, which is simply, we are going to go to the wilderness of Edom in order to take Moab out. And church family, that’s what they do. They go to the wilderness of Edom and the King of Edom joins them as well and they get ready to fight Moab.

But there’s a problem.

Look at verse 9… The bible says…

2 Kings 3:9 ESV

9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them.

Yall see this? They find themselves going in circles over a 7 day span.

Now you might ask, why are they going in circles.

You are asking good questions.

See they were seeking to retrieve water so that they would be refreshed and prepared to go to battle. The problem is where they expected water to be, was not in it’s position as according to their plans. Apparently, the water didn’t show up to the meeting when they put their plans together.

Now what happens next got me. It made me laugh.

As a result of them finding no water, King Jehoram responds by blaming God for the predicament they are in.

You don’t believe me. Look at verse 10…

2 Kings 3:10 ESV

10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.”

And church family, as I read this, I thought to myself, Isn’t that so us???

Just take a look down memory lane in your life. See many of us found ourselves right here as soon as our plans fell apart.

Soon as that boo God told you not to boo up with in the first place started trippin, you started blaming God,

Soon as the job God told you not to take started treating you bad, you started blaming God,

Soon as the money God told you not to trust in started getting low, you started blaming God,

Soon as the car God told you wasn’t your long term plan anyway started act up, you started blaming God,

Soon as the doctors God told you wasn’t the source of your strength started giving up on you, you started blaming God.

See we are notorious for blaming God for things we put our hands on instead of placing our faith in His.

I wish I was talking to some Christians who don’t mind being honest and admitting, I blamed God for plans that were not even His.

I’m preaching better than yall responding…

Pause…

What we find though in the midst of panic and agony is a reminder of how we can recenter ourselves when we choose to do our own thing.

This is going to bless you here…

See Jehoram is at the place where he has given up and starts to blame God, but his ally, Jehoshaphat decides that right here in this circumstance is a good time to inquire the Lord about what we should do from here.

In other words, While Jehoram is looking down, Jehoshaphat starts looking up!

And I believe this is something that you and I need to do more of. Because when life gets rough and out of hand, that is not the time to start whining, complaining, and giving up….

It is when life gets out of hand that we should start looking up!

Thats why the song writer says, Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dem in the light of His glory and grace!

Thats why the psalmist said, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

And this is a word not just for our personal lives, but as we look at the landscape of these yet to be United States of America, we can attest that things are all over the place.

Right here in the Hoosier State we have seen property tax cuts passed by the Republican-led state legislature, resulting in a reduction of funding for Indianapolis crime prevention programs.

Which means, there will be less funding available in 2026 to address the root causes of crime in vulnerable neighborhoods such as gun violence. And you know who that mostly impacts in this city.

We’re seeing where our state passed a bill prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across state government, K–12, and higher education. Banning DEI and instituting penalties up to $250,000 per violation.

We are seeing states all over this country, where they are redrawing electoral district lines to give room for manipulation by hindering or undermining the votes of people who are mostly a part of the minority groups in this country.

Just turn on the TV and you will see that life is out here lifing!!!

But church family, this isn’t the time to start letting go, this isn’t the time to throw in the towel and start looking down, this is the time to start building your faith, calling on the name of Jesus and start looking up!!

Do I have a witness in this place?

I know life at home isn’t where you would like it to be,

I know things isn’t looking good at the job,

I know your money is funny and your change is strange,

I know your kids are driving you crazy after you taught them about the Lord all these years,

I know the bills are piling up and the money is slipping away,

But don’t give up my brother and my sister! Don’t start looking down, start looking up!!!!

Pause…

So, while Jehoram starts looking down, Jehoshaphat starts looking up!

And look at what Jehoshaphat says…

He says, is there no prophet of the Lord here? And to make a long story short church family, they find the prophet Elisha and they inquire about the lord to him and watch this… Elisha doesn’t let the King of Israel off the hook without a rebuke.

Because Elisha says, why don’t you go to the prophets of your father and mother and get their advice.

Elisha then tells him if it wasn’t for the respect I have for Jehoshaphat I wouldn’t even give you the time of day. However, Elisha calls in the musicians and praise team and the Spirit of the Lord shows up and Elisha tells them what the Lord says.

And look at what the Lord says… I’m in 2 Kings 3:16

2 Kings 3:16 (ESV)

16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’

Church folk don’t know when to shout…

God says to them, you are looking for water and there is no water, but I’m about to make this place like pools.

Ok ok, yall not with me so let me help yall out…

Explain Jehoram plan being stupid because it’s a wilderness

You must understand that Jehoram and Jehoshaphat developed a plan based on what made sense. They considered the strategy of attacking Moab by looking at the facts. See you must understand that there were two ways of getting to Moab and attacking the Moabites.

One way was to cross the Jordan and attack from the North.

Now get this, the pathway from the North was the shortest and better route. The only problem was they could run into some issues because the boarders for Moab were strongest from the North.

In addition to that, Moab had possible allies on that trail who may alarm King Mesha and the Moabites of the arrival of Israel ahead of time or even worse, join in and attack Israel before they even get to the Boarders.

The other way was to go South through the Wilderness of Edom.

This pathway was a much longer trip and not as pleasant. But it is believed that Jehoshaphat had conquered Edom and had placed one of his people there to be King so the route would be safer from a standpoint of not having to run into any allies of Moab.

See the Southern boarder of Moab was weaker than the North and was an easier point of attack and surprise. In other words, it made sense.

Now catch this… what is interesting is that when we put our own plans together, our facts while maybe true and makes sense in our human realities, can often be quite idiotic and unintelligent.

Imma say that one more time…

When we put our own plans together, our facts maybe true and makes sense in our human realities, however, they can often be quite idiotic and unintelligent.

See as I stated in my introduction, God’s people had a calling and purpose on them and when we who are followers of God are suppose to move in God but we do not inquire God in our moves, we find ourselves making decisions that are foolish.

What you talking about preacher?

See what appeared to make sense was to go South through the Wilderness.

Now I took a look at the meaning of Wilderness and as I was studying I notice that the meaning for wilderness was an uninhabited and solid ground opposed to water or wetlands.

In other words, Jehoram and Jehoshaphat had expectations in their plans to retrieve water in the wilderness of Edom, but it was more likely that they wouldn’t find water because the place they were going wasn’t designed for what they needed.

I feel like preaching…

Essentially, Jehoram & Jehoshaphat’s plan led them to a place opposed to what they needed.

See the reality for so many of us is when we step out and put our own plans together without seeking God’s plans we lead ourselves into places that are opposite of the things we are actually in need of.

How many times have you put your own plans in place and all of a sudden you recognized that this wasn’t exactly the best thing to do based on what you were hoping to accomplish?

See, we have to recognize that when we decide to do our own thing we are putting ourselves in position to operate in human intelligence.

But don’t lose hope yet. Because it gets a little deeper. See In the biblical context, a dry land or wilderness is often referenced in creation accounts and miraculous events.

Ok let me try it this way…

In the Bible it is often in areas that has us bound that God uses it to show off how powerful He is!!!

See look at what we find in verse 16…

In verse 16, the word of the Lord says, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’

I wish I had a church in here…

Remember, as a result of finding no water, King Jehoram has given up and chalked this situation as God giving them into the hands of Moab. But look at what God says.

Even though Jehoram has given up, God transforms what he’s given up on into a situation that will provide Jehoram with exactly what he and his people need.

And I need to talk to somebody today because one of the dangers of putting your own plans together without consulting God is the reality that perhaps, you have put plans together that hasn’t worked out and as a result you’ve given up and left them on the shelf.

Ok, let me say it this way, perhaps some of your plans excluded some things in them because based on the last outcome, you have given up on them. But one of the lessons this text teaching us is that God’s plan can transform the things we have given up on.

Ok, look at this…

Last time I checked, the reason King Jehoram and the rest of the Kings are out here in this wilderness is because they put a plan together and followed it and now they are in this situation. But I just told you, God tells the prophet Elisha to tell the Kings, that He will make a streambed full of pools.

Did yall hear what I just said??? Let me try this again…

The reason King Jehoram and the rest of the Kings are out here is because they put a plan together and followed it and now they in this situation. in other words, they put themselves in this predicament.

But I just told you, God tells the prophet Elisha to tell the Kings, that He will make a streambed full of pools.

In other words, even though Jehoram, Jehoshaphat and the King of Edom subscribed to their own plans, God did not give up on them once they inquired Him.

Instead God puts His plan on top of their plan and transforms what Jehoram gave up on to turn everything around for their good!

See our plans may run out, but God’s plans run over!! You might want to write that down…

Our plans may run out, but God’s plans run over!

And thats a word for somebody because you been listing to pastor preach this word and you’ve been saying to yourself, Pastor, I don’t know what to do because I have to admit that I put my on plans together.

Well, look at what happens, you don’t even have to feel down on yourself anymore because what you just saw in the word was that God will step in the middle of your failing plans and put His plan in place and when He show up, He shows out!!!

And I came to let somebody know that it’s time to tear up your plans, throw away your plans because God is still willing to step in and put His plan to work in your life!!

So, firstly, We should subscribe to the plans God’s has for our life because God’s plan can transform what we’ve given up on.

But secondly, We should subscribe to the plans God’s has for our life…

2. Because God’s plan has access to places our plans are prohibited to go.

Look at what the word says in 2 Kings 3:16-17

2 Kings 3:16–17 ESV

16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’ 17 For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’

Paint the picture of what the 3 Kings and people are going through

Here we find these 3 Kings, their armies, their livestock and their cattle in a space where they are dehydrated. Can you imagine traveling what is believed to be over 100 miles by foot and not being able to get what they stand in need of.

Let me bring it closer to your pew… Have you ever been there when you were traveling long distance and you are in the middle of no man’s land and you have to use the restroom.

I’m talking about you’ve been holding that thang for a minute, just hoping a rest stop is close by and you finally find one and I’m talking about you on the brink, and you go in and find out the restroom is closed.

They have been traveling, they need some water. This isn’t a want, this is a need, this is a must!!

And church family, it gets worse. What you must understand is that the location they are in isn’t too far from where the boarder of the Moabites are at.

See these Kings expected this location to be their spinach like Popeye right before the fight… But there’s no water…

Can you see the dejection as word spreads around the group that there is no water? Can you hear the complaining and frustration of everyone as reality sets in that they are vulnerable to any type of attack?

Can you see the pushing and shoving as people lament, I didn’t know this was a suicide mission.

They are tired, they are weary, they are in agony, and there is no water. And the Moabites are right around the corner.

But God says, I will make this dry streambed full of pools.

Now don’t miss this… If you read the text, there’s something interesting here because God makes an odd statement in verse 17. Are you looking at your Bible? It says…

2 Kings 3:17 (ESV)

17 For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’

Don’t read it so fast that you miss what God drops in our laps… The Bible says, “You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water.”

God reveals here that His plans have ranges that you and my plans can’t reach. See you can put some good plans together. I’ll give you credit. You have that thing worked out. The 1 year plan, 3 year plan, 5 year plan… Oooo it’s looking good!!!

You have some nice plans!!!

But the problem is, you don’t have the range to reach where God is trying to take you! And don’t miss this church family. If you are going trust your own plans, you better be ready to reach your limits.

See God’s shows us that our plans have restricted areas that prohibits how far we can go.

Ok, you’re still trying to figure it out…

God says, “You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water.” God tells them, I’m going to provide you with water, but it won’t happen in the ways you would think of it to happen. There will be no wind or rain.

See that makes too much human sense. See you and I can calculate that type of miracle. A storm comes, and the streambed is full with water, yeah God that makes sense. But God say, no, there will be water, but there will not be a storm to produce it. It’s just gonna happen!!!

And here it is Church family, we ought to be seeking and expecting God for what we cannot make sense of. See you and I ought to desire more encounters with God’s plan where we are unable to answer how things happened.

See God is trying to enhance our trust in Him to the point where we rub shoulders more often with the impossible!

See we have to stop trying to confine God to what confines us.

God’s plans can be trusted because God’s plan for us has access to places our plans are prohibited to enter! See our plans have to work in the confinement of our circumstances, but for God, circumstances have to work in the confinement of God’s plan!!

What is nonsense to us, is God sense to God!

God says, in my plans there will be no wind or rain, you just gonna have to trust that the water is gonna come and you won’t be able to explain it.

Pause…

Alright, let me wrap this up… As I was studying I thought that was it church family. But God threw me for a loop.

See if you look at the text and just run through it, you will miss an important detail. See if you read it in the original language, which is the Hebrew, you will find that it adds an important perspective.

See the Hebrew says, I will make this dry streambed full of water, but then it adds so, dig ditches.

Ok let me try it again…

The text says, I will make this dry land full of water, so dig ditches in the dry valley.

God says, I know you’re tired. I know you’re down and out. I know you don’t have much strength. I know things aren’t looking good right now. But I need you to trust my plan. I will give you water, but I need you to trust me by digging ditches in this dry land with anticipation for what I am about to do!!!!

And here it is church family… in the Hebrew it’s not just dig ditches, its a command of repetition. In other words, God says, dig ditches and then dig another ditch and then dig another ditch and keep on digging more!!!

In other words, God says, I know what I’m about to do, so you better get to digging!!!

Tune Up!!!

And I came by to Cap City to tell somebody, get to digging!!!

I know life isn’t where you want it to be.

I know you had plans that look prosperous and now everything is all out of place.

I know things aren’t looking like they were designed,

I know you’re tired of being tired,

I know you’re sick of being sick,

I know the boss-woman is getting on your last nerves

I know the marriage is fallen a part,

I know the loans keep piling up,

I know your friends have deserted you,

I know this country is acting a fool,

I know the doctor has given you a bad report,

But don’t give up. Because God’s plans for you, are better than anything you can put together. What God is trying to do in your life, is going to blow your mind!!

But you have to trust Him and dig ditches!!!

Dig when you’re tired,

Dig when you overwhelmed,

Dig when you’re sick,

Dig when you’re weak,

Dig when the job gets on your nerves,

Dig when the car stops working,

Dig when people talk about you,

Dig when everyone leaves you,

Dig when pain hits your body,

Dig when the money is all messed up,

I feel like preaching…

Dig when you’re up,

Dig when you’re down,

Dig when you’re happy,

Dig when you’re sad!

Keep on digging because water is about to come!!!

Because God’s plan is better than our plan!!!

For my Bible says, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,

The Bible says, My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory,

The Bible says, God is our refuge in strength, a very present help in trouble,

The Bible says, when I am weak, He is strong,

The Bible says, All things work together for the good of those who love Christ and are all called to His purpose,

The Bible says, be strong and courageous, so not be afraid, do not be discourage, for the Lord your God will go with be with you wherever you go,

The Bible says, He’ll never leave you nor forsake you,

The Bible says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,

The Bibles says, Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am thy God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

The Bible says, But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Like the old song writer wrote, My faith is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Is there anybody at Cap City who don’t mind standing to your feet and telling God, Imma dig!!!

I trust your plans and imma dig!!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths!

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey,

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

Get to digging!!!!

Appeal Song

Appeal

Call to action - Start Digging

Category 1: Giving God your plans and heart. Developing a relationship with Him. (Baptism)

Category 2: Recommitting your faith to God by digging with expectation. (Recommitment)

Category 3: Joining a community of believers to dig with. (Membership)

Digging Challenge

I want you to buy one of those small beach shovels and buckets. (You can decorate it or do as you please.

I want to take out a block of time, grab some flash cards and write out every bible verse, spiritual quote and encouraging word you’ve received from God. Fold up all the flash cards that you’ve written these statements, scripture and words on and place them in the bucket.

When ever you feel you are losing trust in God, take your small shovel, and dig up some encouragement in your bucket to increase your faith.