Detour
Key Scriptures: Exodus 14:21-29
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.”
26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
Summary: We often see the detours of life as an attack from the enemy, but what if our detours are purposed positions by God?
Lesson One: Your position is on purpose.
God puts us in certain situations in life because there is an assignment in that position that only we can accomplish.
Exodus 13:17-18, When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So, God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.
Lesson Two: Your position is part of the process.
Sometimes God allows us to remain in uncomfortable and difficult positions for much longer than we would like to prepare us for the next season of life and ministry.
Genesis 8:22, As long as the earth exists seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
2 Corinthians 9:6, He that sows little shall reap little; and he which sows generously shall reap generously.
Lesson Three: Your position is not permanent.
Despite the lies of the enemy that we will remain in the darkness forever, abandoned by God; our Father is at work in the darkness preparing our escape. God may be silent, but he is never still.
John 8:44, For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.