Overcoming Faith-Dilemmas
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning from Moses how to triumph when we face trials so severe they test our faith.
Text: Ex. 14:13-14
Date: 01/04/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Your Word is Truth"
Description:
One of the greatest stories of God's power and redemption in the face of overwhelming odds is the story of the parting of the Red Sea. But this does not mean that those who were there and facing what they thought was their own annihilation understood the great salvation they were experiencing until God revealed it. But their faith-struggle is recorded in Scripture partially for our edification-- because we all go through such "faith-dilemmas" in our own Christian Walk. Too often they are seen as sinful strongholds of evil in our lives and therefore we miss the valuable work the Lord is accomplishing through the faith-dilemmas. So in this message we will analyze the words of Moses to the Children of Israel as they struggle with their life-threatening dilemma. We will find four clear instructions and three great promises that when implemented in the lives of Christians, are the secret to overcoming our faith-dilemmas!
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Ex. 14:13-14.
A. Context: Prelude to the Exodus.
1. Background to the faith-dilemma, Gen. 15:16; Ex. 13:21-22.
2. Creating the faith-dilemma, Ex. 9:16, 14:1-9.
3. The Children of Israel reaction to the faith-dilemma, Ex. 5:21; 14:10,11,12,15; Psa. 7:1, 22:1-2.
B. Overcoming the dilemma, Ex. 14:13-14.
1. The instructions.
a. Learning not to fear.
i. A good reason NOT to fear, Ex. 13:21-22, 14:19-20; Deut. 3:24; Gen. 18:14; Luke 1:37; 1Chr. 29:11-13.
ii. Trusting in the Presence and Power of God, Heb. 11:1, 13:5; Matt. 28:20; Ex. 14:17-18; Rom. 8:38-39.
b. Standing firm.
i. The meaning of the word, Num. 22:22.
1) Don't run to the enemy, Ex. 14:12.
2) Wait and see what the Lord will do.
ii. Standing firm on faith.
1) Finding your faith.
2) Faith in your Redemption, 1Pet. 1:4-5.
3) Faith in your Sanctification.
c. Seeing with spiritual eyes.
i. The meaning of the word.
ii. Focus on sanctification, Matt. 4:16, 15:14; John 3:19, 9:25, 12:35; 2Cor. 4:6.
d. Learning to listen in silence.
i. Listening for the Lord's revelation, Psa. 4:4, 30:12; Ex. 15:11; Zeph. 1:7; Zech. 2:13.
ii. A silence of disposition, Psa. 37:7, 46:10.
iii. The tendency towards "noise".
2. The promises.
a. God will save you, Ex. 15:1-2; Phil. 2:12.
b. God will fight for you.
i. Our Champion in battle, Ex. 14:6-7, 15:3; Psa. 2:1-5, 140:7; Deut. 1:30, 3:22, 20:4.
ii. Our Champion in Salvation, Rom. 8:37; 2Chr. 20:17.
c. God will vanquish your enemies.
i. Vanquishing the Egyptians, Ex. 14:23,27-28, 15:1; 2Sam. 5:24.
ii. Vanquishing the ultimate enemy sin and death, Rev. 20:10, 14; Psa. 27:1-3.
III. Conclusion, Isa. 59:1; Eph. 6:13; Rom. 8:29; Psa. 119:105, 111.
