09-23-2026 PART 1: God Prepares the Way Before You Get There

Section 1

Psalm 78 offers tremendous encouragement because it reveals God continuing to show kindness toward Israel even while His people repeatedly struggled and rebelled. Dr. Dave emphasizes that believers do not have to respond perfectly every moment before God can demonstrate His goodness toward them. Christians still say wrong things, think wrong thoughts, and sometimes react poorly, but God’s kindness is rooted in His character rather than our flawless performance. We have been made right judicially through the redeeming work of Jesus, not because everything we have done since salvation has been perfect. God’s mercy and kindness cannot be earned, because His love extends far beyond human merit. That reality should encourage anyone struggling with weakness or failure: His kindness rests upon how awesome He is, not how awesome we are.

Section 2

Israel standing before the Red Sea provides a vivid picture of how thoroughly God prepares the pathway before asking His people to move forward. The Lord divided the waters, created walls on either side, and even prepared dry ground beneath their feet so they could cross safely rather than struggle through mud. Dr. Dave connects that miracle with the believer’s journey today. God can already be preparing circumstances, opportunities, direction, and strength before we arrive at the place where they will be needed. Hebrews describes believers running the race God has marked out for them, reminding us that our pathway is not unknown to Him. Remembering what God has already done strengthens faith for what lies ahead. The God who prepared Israel’s road through the sea is still capable of preparing the road beneath our feet.

Section 3

Provision continued after Israel crossed the sea because God supplied exactly what His people needed when they needed it. He gave a cloud during the heat of the day, fire to illuminate the night, and even brought abundant water from a rock in the wilderness. Human beings cannot produce water from a rock, but impossibility for humanity has never meant impossibility for God. Dr. Dave stresses that the same Lord who provided guidance, protection, and provision for Israel remains faithful to His people today. Covenants changed, but God’s character did not. He has not failed His children and will not begin now. Our response should include greater trust, remembrance, and gratitude for everything He continually provides. God’s goodness toward us is not the reward for how awesome we are; it is the overflow of how awesome He is.