This exposition of Exodus 17:8-16 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, December 9, 2018.
Intro:
I thought, “trusting in Jesus” was going to fix everything. You pray the prayer, your sins are forgiven, it’s sunshine and roses from then on out. Right?
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No, not really. Yes, everything is fixed in that you have passed from death to life. You are no longer the object of God’s sovereign wrath you are now the object of his grace and mercy. He has set his affections upon you and you are forever his child. You are bound for eternal glory. That is settled. That is non-negotiable. Yet, you are left in this fallen, sin-cursed world and called to “live out” or “workout” your salvation. You are holy in the sight of God because you are “in Christ.” When God looks at you he sees the sinless perfection of the Lord Jesus and yet, you are not holy. You are on the road to holiness or sanctification but you haven’t arrived. You have begun the journey down the pilgrim path and it is a long, arduous and often confusing path. Some things are required of you along this road. You were saved by the grace of God alone. You didn’t contribute anything, other than your sin! But now you are required to strive for holiness by the power of the Spirit and through obedience to the word of God as you travel from the bondage of Egypt to the hope of the Promised Land. Our text this morning is found in the 17th chapter of Exodus.
Text: Exodus 17:8-16
The children of Israel have to be thinking, “What in the world is going on?” They are delivered in dramatic fashion from Egypt. They even plundered the Egyptians on their way out. Only to be trapped between Pharaoh and the Red Sea. Miraculously delivered only to wander around for three days without water. When they finally come to water - it’s undrinkable! God transforms the bitter water into sweet water and then leads them to a place of refreshment. 12 springs of water and 70 palm trees. It was glorious. But then it was back out into the wilderness further away from the Land of Promise. They became hungry. They thought they would die. God provided quail and manna. They moved again coming to “The Place of Rest” but again, no water! God again provided.
This was getting old real quick.
But remember God was “testing” them.
This was part of proving the genuineness of their faith.
In the immediate context (17:1-7) God has shown himself as provider, protector and companion.
He is with them and he is keeping his word/promise.
Things are looking up…
Then they were attacked by the Amalekites at Rephidim.
We have said the pilgrim path is mined with physical dangers and spiritual doubts.
The Christian life is not a leisurely stroll in the park.
In this text we discover…
Thesis: The pilgrim life demands vigilance, persistence and divine enabling.
The wilderness has its hard places.
Those times of doubt and struggle.
But, they were not alone and neither are we. God was with them in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He was providing manna daily. We have the Spirit of God within us guiding us into all truth, and supplying our every need. It is essential that we understand this as we seek to live out our salvation. God is with us in every struggle, every heartache, and every trial. He is working in us, shaping us, molding us into the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus. There are no wasted sorrows in the Christian life. Our God is providentially working in all things for our good and his glory.
There are three things I want us to note in this text.
- Life along the pilgrim path demands that you actively engage the enemy in battle. (17:8)
- As pilgrims we engage the battle through persistent and prevailing prayer. (17:9-13)
- Persistence on the pilgrim path demands a heavenward focus and a sustained remembrance . (17:14-16)
Conclusion:
Named it, The LORD is My Banner.
Banner = standard, signal flag - rallying point in battle
Christ is our banner
John 3:14-15 - And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Hebrews 12:2 - looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
As we walk the pilgrim path we must remain forever vigilant, we must persist in engaging our enemies while relying on God’s power to bring us victory over our enemies.
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