When God Seems to Lead Us to a Dead End

Lately, it seems that God is leading me to the impossible. Doors have opened, opportunities have aligned, conviction and submission have been felt. And then — nothing. A roadblock of enormous proportion stands in my way. It’s as if the door I perceived to be open has been slammed shut, locked, and barricaded.

What does it mean when God seems to lead us into a desert?

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Exodus 14 tells the story of the parting of the Red Sea, which allowed the Israelites to escape Pharaoh and his army. It’s easy to look at the Israelites and judge their doubt. After all, we have the privilege of knowing how the story ends. But in that moment just prior to God’s miraculous provision, when they left Egypt and obediently followed Moses to the promised land, I relate to their disbelief. When you don’t know the conclusion, it’s easy to fall into doubt.

Moses raised his arms and through the power of God, the Red Sea was parted. The Israelites walked through on dry ground and the Egyptians followed — only to get stuck and drown when the sea crashed down on top of them. God was still leading, still present, still active. But He demonstrated a miracle so that the Israelites would know and believe in their Deliverer.

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We sensed that God was leading our family to move. There was a surprise knock on our door, an unofficial offer, and we began to look for a new house. We were prayerful throughout the process, and felt confirmation in our agreement.

Suddenly, the deal fell through. On the one hand, it was a relief. We really didn’t want to move — but on the other hand we believed God was working out the details for a potential next step in our lives. There was disappointment and frustration as a result.

We had an a unexpected, powerful desire to adopt a child from Uganda — except that we almost immediately discovered that international adoptions from Uganda were at a current standstill. Why did God put Uganda in our hearts, knowing that it was not an option?

As the Israelites continued their journey to the Promised Land, they reached desperation. They demanded food; God provided manna. When they got tired of manna, God gave them quail. He supplied water from rocks, healing from serpents, and sustained His people during 40 years of wandering.

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There are some lessons to be learned from the Israelites’ time in the desert:

1.) God is always active, always present. The same God who gave the Israelites a cloud to follow during the day and a pillar of fire at night is the God in Jesus Christ who promises us in Matthew 28:20 that He is always with us. Sometimes it seems God is distant, but He is actually at hand.

2.) God provides enough for today. If God revealed what He would do six months from now, there would be no need for faith. God gave daily manna, not a monthly supply. This taught the Israelites to have daily dependence upon God. It is an act of faith and obedience to rely on God day by day.

I know that God is mighty — and can do far more than we can ever imagine.

3.) God moves when the impossible looms ahead. What if the Israelites had faced the Egyptians in battle and won? It would be easy to depend on their own implied strength. Yet God wanted to demonstrate both His power and love for His people by doing the impossible for them. He wants us to see Him move in our own lives that same way. When He gives us a miracle, we respond in worship and testimony to His amazing abilities. We glorify God for who He is and what He does for us.

I’m waiting for God to work out these small miracles in my own life. Maybe He is simply teaching me submission and patience. Maybe He has greater things in store. But I know that God is mighty — and can do far more than we can ever imagine, making even the impossible possible.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).