But Lord I’m Doing What You Said…
“Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.””(Ex. 5:22–23 NIV11)
Have you seen the preachers with corporate jets? Have you heard that coming to Jesus will be your best life? The assumption is that Jesus + you = easy living good times. The God who is really there never promises this to us. Life to full – yes! A painless life? No.
In our reading today from Exodus 5 we see that Moses is struggling with the apparent failure of God’s plan. “Talk to Pharaoh you say. And I did. But now everyone hates me and no one is rescued. Did I get it wrong? Or did You?”
What if following God’s plan results in discomfort? What if things become harder in the short term when we’re being obedient?
We have the privilege here of knowing the end of the story before Moses. He can’t see what is to come. This day is a tough one. But we know now and God knew then. The plan wasn’t derailed. Moses’s obedience was a key component – even as God was hardening Pharaoh’s heart.
We follow a Lord who said this to His apprentices:“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”(Luke 9:23 NIV11)
And then He bore His cross to Golgotha and died on it. The Apostle Paul spoke to those in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch;“strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God…”(Acts 14:22 NIV11)
Are things tough following Jesus today? Hang in there. Are you surprised that it’s hard going being obedient. Keep trusting. Are you worried that the plan might not work out given what you’re seeing today? Know that God has the end in mind and your obedience today matters eternally.
Dear Lord, help me when I look around and find things a shambles. Help me to trust You on the days when things are going worse. I’m so thankful that Your Son Jesus showed us victory through obedience. And triumph through trust. Thanks for His resurrection and the fact that You offer to strengthen us with Your Holy Spirit. Give me more of His strength today.
Amen.
Stuart.
