Detour | Eddie Parker IV | One Church
ICEBREAKER
Who has been a hero in your life that you are thankful for?
MESSAGE NOTES
Detours interrupt your momentum, your schedule, and if you’re like me, your blood pressure.
Detours are frustrating, stressful, and burdensome, but detours are often necessary.
DETOURS are when:
1. dangerous conditions are present
2. Construction crews are working to repair or build better transportation systems. Detours may interfere with your life, but they typically exist for a reason.
God is not unfamiliar with detours. He has been known to use them for the benefit of His people.
Joseph endured the detour of enslavement and imprisonment while God prepared him to save his family.
David endured the detour of living as a fugitive while God prepared him to become the next King.
There was a group of people called the Children of Israel who were in a ‘bondage situation’ but consider to be God’s chosen people and they would be in this cycle year after year, after year.
But then God raises up a man named Moses and he says I want you to go and free my people from the bondage.
Exodus 13:17
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”
Israel’s Wilderness Detour
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, EVEN THOUGH this would be the easiest but God takes us the way that will be the most beneficial.
Even Though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. (Isn’t it amazing that GOD doesn’t take us the short route? But there’s a reason) God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, (That they are not prepared to handle) they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” (bondage)
The Long Route
The reason God takes us the long way in some areas in life, because if he takes you the short route there’s gonna be a fight but if you’re not prepared to fight you’ll turn around and say,
“Maybe where I came from, is better than where God is trying to take me to.”
They had to go through the wilderness so God could build in them what they needed to not only see the Promise Land but inhabit and prosper in the Promise Land.
God removed them from Egypt but they still carried the bondage mentality.
‘’The wilderness is never for punishment it’s preparation and purity.’’
I have a 3 point comprehensive strategy for you to help implement lasting change even in the midst of adversity.
Remember the Promise
The problem with the children of Israel was that they didn’t remember what God had already said.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Matthew 11:28-29
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,“ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
2. Reevaluate the “Problem” (Get the right Perspective)
When you change your perspective of the situation God will change you.
3. Refuse to Complain
How often do we stop to reflect on God’s goodness to us in Providing what we Prayed for, rather than complaining to Him about what we don’t have?
God will occasionally use detours in our lives to accomplish an objective that we may not understand yet.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Share a detour or delay that God has taken you on that has made you uncomfortable?
What battle are you currently praying for God to help you with and are you prepared to handle what you are praying for?
Share a favorite Bible verse that helps you when you start to feel discouraged?
How have you benefited from someone else's wilderness experience?
What are some promises that you need to rehearse in your life?
What are some problems that you need to reevaluate to change your perspective?