Leading Through Difficult Times

The month of October is Strategic Planning Month. We have selected this month to emphasize the need to lead and work through challenging periods. We are committed to preaching through a sermon series entitled: "Leading Through Difficult Times.” I know that God is going to bless us through our sermon series.   

When God Is Moving Too Fast

In the Sermon Outline and Overview for October, we have three sermon topics that have a direct correlation to the sermon series theme “Leading Through Difficult Times.” Initially, there were four sermon topics and four scriptures relating to the overall theme of “Leading Through Difficult Times.” I had to discard the fourth theme because this year’s Church Anniversary message will be delivered by Rev. Walker Wingo.

Thankfully, I can utilize the October Pastor’s Corner as a medium to share some thoughts as it relates to what would have been the fourth sermon topic and text. On the fourth Sunday, I would have delivered the following message: “Leading When God Is Moving Too Fast” from Numbers 14:1-4.

Numbers 14 is a pivotal point in the life of God’s people. We could look at Numbers 14 as a crossroad for the children of Israel during their post deliverance from 400 years (Gen. 15:13) in Egyptian bondage. Numbers 14:1 informs us that as God’s people encounter one of the most important transitional periods in their lives, they are in a state of dejection (Num. 14:1). Additionally, they are conceding to an urge to complain when they should be celebrating (Num. 14:2-3). For people on the verge of walking into a promised place of opportunity, you would think the words used to describe their disposition would be celebrating, rejoicing, excited, motivated, and happy. But they are crying (Num. 14:1), complaining (Num. 14:2-3), and rebelling against God (Num. 14:9). Why are they crying (v. 1) and complaining (v. 2-3)?

God’s people are out of Egyptian bondage and at the precipice of entering the Promised Land (Numb. 13). But there is a significant problem. They are where God wants them to be (about to enter the Promised Land – spies sent to scout the land [13:17]), but they are not where they want to be (back in Egypt – “would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” [14:3]). Ironically, one of the main reasons why they are in a position of unmerited opportunity is because God heard their “cry” (Ex. 3:7, 9) for deliverance from their “taskmasters” (v. 7). By trusting the One who delivered them from Egyptian bondage, they will be able to possess “a land which flows with milk and honey” (Num. 13:27; 14:8). Through Moses, God offers the following stipulation: “Only do not rebel against the Lord: and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear” (Num. 14:9). After receiving God’s requirements, what is their response? They try to “stone” Moses and Aaron (Num. 14:5; 10), but God intervenes (Num. 14:11). Their rebellion against God results in a wilderness sojourn that lasts “forty years” (Num. 14:34) for the number of days they “spied the land” (Num. 13:34).

One of the key verses in Numbers 14 is verse 8, where Moses makes a profound statement concerning God’s desire to see His people enter the Promised Land. He emphasizes that God will “bring [His people] to . . .  a land which flows with milk and honey” (Num. 14:8, emphasis added). The word “brings” comes from a Hebrew word that can mean “to carry.” Israel did not mind being carried by God if God did not take them too fast. However, at this juncture, God is carrying them down a path and at a speed that will ensure He gets the glory for their entrance into the Promised Land. God moves at a pace that challenges the children of Israel to act in ways that they are unwilling. 

Before I conclude the Pastor’s Corner, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my ability to relate to the children of Israel. I have never been on the verge of entering the Promised Land. Nevertheless, numerous times, I have been at the threshold of opportunity and felt as though God was carrying me down a path and at a speed that would bring Him glory. I knew God was moving me out of a comfort zone (very uncomfortable), but I am always aware that leaving places of comfort are not easy to depart. Do you have a similar testimony of God moving at a pace that made you very uncomfortable? When it seems like God is carrying us too fast, what should we do that Israel was unwilling to do?

Remember the reference points where God demonstrated His ability to deliver. God provided His people with plenty of reference points like His ability to deliver them from Pharaoh and his army (Ex. 14). He established additional reference points when He changed “bitter” water into “sweet” water at Marah (Ex. 15:22-25), fed them with “manna” and “quail” (Ex. 16:1-21), brought water of out a rock (Ex. 17:1-7), and defeated the “Amalekites” (Ex. 17:8-16). They had plenty of reference points that they could use as motivation for moving forward and into the place of promised opportunity.

My question for you is not, “Do you have any reference points?” My question is, “Are you using the reference points, that God created, as a reminder that He specializes in doing things that seem impossible?”