Identity Issues

Exodus 14:10 - 14

(10) As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, (11) and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? (12) Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’” (13) But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. (14) The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Have you ever been in a difficult situation? One that causes you to question who you are and where God has placed you? Sometimes in church, we give the impression that when you give your life to Jesus, everything magically falls into place and all your problems disappear, but we obviously know that isn't true. Giving your life to Jesus means that He now walks you through whatever problems do come your way.

So how do we hold on when it feels like the world is crumbling around us? Ask yourself these questions:

1. What do you see?

- V. 10 The people of Israel saw Pharaoh in the distance and panicked, and they saw the Egyptians overtaking them.

- What lens do you view things through? Do you view things through the lens of culture, lens of circumstances, or the lens of the kingdom?

- Seeing is not believing! Culture wants us to believe the lie that we have to see to believe.

2. What are you saying?

- V. 12 The Israelites complained A LOT. They bought into the lies ("Let's be slaves").

- Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your DESTINY.

- When we don’t know who we are, we buy into the lies that the enemy is selling!

- Jeremiah 29:11-14

3. What did you hear?

- V. 13 Moses was already CONFIDENT in himself and God, because God already told Moses who He was and who Moses was in Him (Exodus 3).

- Moses gave God 5 excuses as to why he couldn't be used, and God answered each of them!

- "I am that I am" - The Lord was telling Moses who He is by telling him where He’d be and what He’d be doing!

- Identity comes from the FATHER!!! This is why Moses is able to say...Don’t Worry and Don’t Move.

4. What do you remember?

- V. 16 "The Lord tells Moses, Pick up your staff and raise it over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk thru the middle of the sea on dry ground..."

- The staff told the stories of God's prior faithfulness, and it served as a reminder that God always showed up and will continue to show up for His people.

Put into PERSPECTIVE all that God has done. REMEMBER the things that He has done in your life and the lives of those around you to encourage you and remind you of His FAITHFULNESS!