I was driving home in a blizzard one day. The lake effect snow in Buffalo was at its worst. I couldn’t see anything. None of the yellow lines on the highway were visible, so it was hard to know what lane I was in. Big snowflakes blowing in the wind made it appear as if a white blanket was covering my windshield. The roads were slick and I was driving barely above 10 miles per hour.

No matter how rapidly the windshield wipers went back and forth, the view ahead of me never cleared up. I remember praying and asking God, please, Lord, make the snow stop so I can see.

Within minutes, the snow stopped.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew I had prayed for that to happen, but it was so sudden, it felt like an unexpected development in a sci-fi flick or fictional book. It seemed like a plot twist—an unexpected development— in a feature film.

But nope. This was real life. And I rejoiced that the snowstorm had ceased and I was able to make it home.

Although I would ideally like for all my prayers to be answered suddenly, it doesn’t always happen that way. But one thing I know for certain is that God specializes in plot twists. Just when it looks like it won’t get better, He rushes in and shifts circumstances for His glory.

He’s done it many times in my life.

That’s precisely what happened in Exodus 14. This chapter takes us into the chaotic scene surrounding Israel before God totally freed His chosen people from 430 years of oppression under the Egyptian regime.

In verse 2, God told Moses to have Israel make what appeared to be a wrong turn during their grand escape. That way, according to verses 3-4, “Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.’”

Though I have read this chapter many times before, God grabbed my attention through these two verses because He wants me to highlight something for you. God purposely told Israel to do something that seemed irrational. This was done in order to mislead the enemy, so God could get the glory.

He wanted the Hebrews to look confused and lost, but they were neither. God was leading them down this seemingly backwards path as a surefire tactic to confuse the enemy.

And you know the story: God parted the Red Sea. Israel walked across on dry land, but Pharaoh, who originally and wrongly thought he could recapture the escapees, drowned with his entire army—horses, chariots and all.

Although God knew He had a plan and was up to something, Israel wasn’t sure of what He was doing before the deliverance manifested. They felt trapped. They thought they would be overtaken and killed. In fact, verse 10 says, they “were terrified and cried out to the Lord."

Before they cried out, however, God already had the answer. Before they ever felt trapped, God had already provided a way for their escape. And before the story got complicated, God already had a built in plot twist!

Right now, God is sending this word to tell you to get ready for a plot twist, too.

From the outside, it might look like you’re backed into a corner and hemmed in. But God is using your situation to gain glory for Himself. He wants to demonstrate that He has all power and salvation, deliverance, and supernatural release comes through Him alone.

At this very moment, God may have you walking down an unconventional path. The road isn’t straight. It is full of twists and sharp turns. It may appear that you are on the road to failure, but quite the opposite is true. This is merely a setup for breakthrough.

An unexpected development in your story is coming. What looks like sure defeat is turning into sure victory. Lack is turning into abundance. Closed doors are turning into open doors. Incurable diseases are turning into testimonies of healing. Lost loved ones are becoming redeemed witnesses for Christ. That broken relationship is becoming an example of Gods’ restoring power.

It may look like you’re down, but God is lifting you up. The fight is not yours. It belongs to the Lord and He never, ever loses.

To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring Exodus 14:13 NIV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, know that the same God that delivered Israel out of Egyptian bondage is delivering you from strongholds, loosing every shackle, releasing favor and blessings. He is smiling upon you and your household, and knocking down everything that has risen up to hinder, stress, worry or defeat you.

The Lord fights for you. He vindicates you. He restores you. He heals you. He lifts you. He favors you. He causes all things to work for your good. And behind the scenes, He is doing the unexpected. Get ready for a plot twist. What you see today is no indication of the glorious destiny God has for you.

Go forward in faith knowing that the best is yet to come.

Now let’s pray.

God, I thank You that, even though it looks like I’m defeated, I am already victorious through You. I have great expectation in my heart and I know I will see every promise manifest. Though Satan has tried to convince me that I am backed into a corner, Christ, my cornerstone has already secured victory for me. I receive it. I thank You Lord for my deliverance and breakthrough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!

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