TO STAND

TO STAND
Exodus 13:17-14:31

I. Living Between Promise and Provision (vv.17-18)
a. God led the Israelites on the right path, but not the shortest.
b. The path that God leads us on is not an easy one and to see victory is a slow process.
i. The Christian Life is about struggle
ii. Ephesians 6:12- 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
iii. The Ability to STAND
iv. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
c. JESUS: OUR MOSES- Matthew 8:18-27
i. Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship
1. 18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
ii. The story of the Storm- After speaking of the cost, Jesus then calms the storms of their lives- Go to Jesus
iii. Exodus- 21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
iv. Psalm 46:7- The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
II. God Will Make Way!- Psalm 46:7-11
a. BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
i. 13 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. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
ii. Psalm 46:10- “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
b. DO NOT BE AFRAID BY RESTING IN THE LORD
i. Psalm 46:8- Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. (REMEMBER WHAT HE HAS DONE)
ii. Isaiah 46: 1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (REMEMBER WHAT HE WILL DO)
iii. Psalm 37:7 (NASB)- 7[a]Rest in the LORD and (A)wait [b]patiently for Him; (B)Do not fret because of him who (C)prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. (Don’t be discouraged)
c. MOVE ON IN HOPE
i. The result is strength to move on and GET OUT OF GETHSAMNE
ii. Isaiah 40:31- But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
iii. 2 Corinthians 5:7- We walk by faith, not by sight (NASB)
d. FEAR THE LORD AND PUT YOUR TRUST IN HIM
i. Do what He tells you to do and he will do what He says He will do.
ii. Psalm 37:5-6- Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
iii. Psalm 111:10- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
1. Fearing God means believing in His mighty power even when it does not make sense.
iv. 1 Corinthians 1- 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."[d]
v. Psalm 46:11- The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress
III. Fight the Good Fight
a. 2 Timothy 4- 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.