A Triumphant Journey
A TRIUMPHANT JOURNEY
TEXT: Exodus 13:21-22
INTRODUCTION: The journey of the children of Israel through the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land resembles in many respects the experience of the Lord’s people in the world The Israelites had been in bondage The Lord’s people were once in bondage to Satan. Just as the Israelites enjoyed their bondage at first, crying out to God for relief only after long years of cruel oppression, so the Lord’s people long remained in the enjoyment of sin
I. GOD PROVIDES A GUIDE vs.21-22
A. Israel was led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night
B. The Holy Spirit is our unerring guide
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
II. GOD LEADS away from trouble v.17
A. God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines
B. Their time in captivity had not been a time to prepare for war
1. Their mind was not ready for war
2. They had not tools for war
III. GOD LEADS THROUGH OBSTACLES v.18
A. When Israel was hemmed in by the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, God’s power kept them safe by producing light from the cloud to Israel while confusion and darkness to the Egyptians
B. The Red Sea was an obstacle apparently impossible to overcome, but God’s command was forward!
1. The Red Sea opened up for their passage
C. Even so, “Red Seas” open for us
D. We are kept safe by His power
IV. GOD LEADS TO REJOICING 15:1-2
Exodus 15:1-2 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
A. After passing through the Red Sea the pillar paused long enough for the people to rejoice
B. Season of rejoicing usually come to us after passing through some “Red Sea”
V. GOD LEADS TO TRIALS AND BITTER SORROW 15:23-26
Exodus 15:23-26 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
A. The pillar led to the bitter water of Marah where Israel was filled with bitter sorrow
1. Disobedience brings discipline
B. Season of trials, sorrow and suffering will come
1. We should come through these as gold tried in the fire
1 Peter 4:12-16 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.