When you follow God, you’ll realize situations often get worse before they get better. 

Why? 

Because going backward is the secret to going forward. 

EX: Throwing a baseball / Throwing a punch 

Going backward is how God trains you to be the person who can handle where He’s taking you. 

Going backward gives you the power to move forward.

Strength comes through strain. 

Moses’ life shows us this: 

The Israelites were slaves in Egypt. 

God told Moses to go Pharaoh and ask to release the people. 

He reluctantly obeyed, but it seemed to backfire. 

Pharaoh got mad at the request and made their work even harder.

Vs 6-9 - “That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people: 7 “You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. 8 But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.”

Why would God allow this to happen? 

God had to prepare the Israelites for the hard times ahead in the wilderness. 

He had to set them up for success with the Egyptian’s gold. 

He knew the plagues would end with the death of the firstborn, which would usher in the Passover and prepare the way for Jesus. 

Think about a wave on the beach: 

The water level gets much lower the moment before a wave hits. 

It goes the opposite way it’s intended to go. 

If you stopped at that moment, it would discourage you. 

But letting nature run its course reveals an incredible increase ahead. 

When God moves you backward, take courage - it’s just to prep you for where He’s going to take you. 

KEY - Don’t think “HOW can I get out of this, but WHAT can I get out of it.”