[[-SOAP HUB]] | [[-Exodus Overview]] | [[Exodus]] ## Title: Hardship Leading to Victory ## Scripture: (Exodus 14:2-4) “Tell the Israelites that they must turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you are to camp by the sea before Baal Zephon opposite it. Pharaoh will think regarding the Israelites, ‘They are wandering around confused in the land—the desert has closed in on them.’ I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them. I will gain honor because of Pharaoh and because of all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So this is what they did. (NET) ## Observation: When the nation of Israel was freed, it might have seemed as though it was going to be smooth sailing after that. However, walking with God is like a roller coaster. Life is full of ups and downs. If we are not careful, we can feel as though God is for us when things are up and God is against us when things are down. However, when we ride a roller coaster, we don’t think the ride is broken when it goes down and it is working when it is going up. We realize the ups and downs are all part of the complete experience. The nation of Israel was about to experience a moment that would seem as though God was against them. This was not true. They were going to experience a difficult moment so that God could show His glory and they could experience victory. What would it look like for us to see the ups and downs of life as all part of the experience? How would we see every moment if we realized that God never changes His mind about us? He always loves us, and the experiences of life do not show us how God feels about us. He loves us in the good days and the bad days. Therefore, when we see bad days, we realize there is a future victory on the way. ## Application: How can you reframe your current experience through the unchanging love of God? ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for always being good and doing more than we can see.