Purpose Came First: God established Future, Past & Present
Main Scripture
Exodus 14:10–17
The Children of Israel find themselves trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea. Fear grips them, but Moses declares the faith-filled decree:
“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.”
This passage demonstrates God’s divine order — where His future plan was already working in the past and present to bring deliverance to His people.
Key Themes and Lessons
1. God’s Order Exists Outside of Time
God is not confined by the past, present, or future; He weaves them together in His divine plan.
The “future” is not something God reacts to — it is something He has already established.
Every event in our lives is part of His order and intentional design, meant to align with His purpose.
2. Purpose Came Before Creation
God doesn’t create a person and then assign them purpose — He establishes purpose first, then creates the person to fulfill it.
Moses’ life is evidence: before he was born, God had already planned the deliverance of Israel.
What the enemy tried to destroy in infancy, God protected in advance because purpose cannot die before its fulfillment.
3. God Works the Future Into the Past
When Pharaoh ordered the death of all Hebrew boys (Exodus 1:15–22), God was already orchestrating Moses’ protection through the midwives, his mother, and Pharaoh’s daughter.
God “stepped out of the future” into the past to preserve the present — ensuring Moses’ purpose would unfold exactly as intended.
The miracle of Moses being raised by his own mother under Pharaoh’s protection shows that God’s plan overrides every human scheme.
4. Preparation Through Adversity
Moses’ trials — from being hidden as a baby, sent down the Nile, raised in Pharaoh’s house, exiled in the desert, and returning as a deliverer — all built the faith and strength needed for his calling.
Every hardship was part of divine training; every delay and difficulty was preparing Moses for leadership and trust in God’s timing.
Likewise, our struggles are not punishment but preparation. God is shaping endurance and confidence for our appointed season.
5. Divine Purpose Overrules Human Limitation
God knew Moses’ weaknesses — his stutter, his temper, his doubts — but still chose him.
Purpose is not canceled by imperfection. God equips the called, not just calls the equipped.
When God chooses you for a task, He already accounted for your flaws and failures; they become part of the testimony of His strength.
Conclusion
God’s purpose precedes our existence. Before we take our first breath, God has already written our story — aligning past, present, and future for His glory.
Moses’ journey from a baby targeted for death to the leader who parted the Red Sea shows that purpose cannot be destroyed, delayed, or denied when God is in control.
So, when life feels uncertain or delayed, remember:
God has already been to your future.
He is shaping your present with the wisdom of what’s to come.
And what feels like a setback may be the setup for your “Red Sea moment,” where His power is revealed and His purpose fulfilled.
Key takeaway: Purpose came first — and because God already established your end, your current situation is simply the process to get you there.