I’ve been reading through the Exodus story this past week. I was struck by this important idea — God’s timing is not our timing. This is a truth we often learn through difficult circumstances. Certainly, this was no different for the Israelites. Though they were enslaved and tormented in Egypt, God was at work, fulfilling His promises.
“…the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.” — Exodus 2:23-25
As you’ll recall, God later revealed Himself to Moses through the burning bush. I AM promised to free Israel from their captivity in Egypt. Moses and Aaron then told the elders of Israel that God was going to deliver them. This resulted in Exodus 4:31, “…the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.”
This would’ve been such comforting news! God was aware of their affliction and He was going to do something about it. However, we know that their rescue was not an overnight event. The nation of Israel was going to learn to trust in God’s timing.
Setbacks and Waiting
In the very next paragraph of this chapter, we see that Israel’s life doesn’t get better, but worse. Pharaoh forces harsher labor requirements on Israel. In fact, this new hardship is a direct response to Israel believing in God’s promise of deliverance. Can you imagine that? You believe in a good promise from the Lord, but then life only seems to become more difficult.
After that, God’s deliverance still doesn’t move as quickly, or as easily, as the Israelites were expecting. I don’t know exactly how long the 10 plagues took to unfold. But, I’m sure the Israelites wouldn’t have complained if God had just snapped His fingers and struck down their enemy, instantaneously. I envision this waiting tested Israel’s trust in God’s promise.
Finally, Israel was allowed to leave Egypt. But, no sooner had they left, than they were chased down by Pharaoh’s vengeful army. They must’ve wondered, “When is that promise from God going to finally kick in?”
God is Faithful to His Word
Thankfully, we have the ability to look at this story through the lens of the big picture. We know how it fits into Israel’s greater story. It was just the beginning of God rescuing His people from their difficult circumstances. It takes only 20 minutes to read the whole saga. But, I want you to imagine what it must have been like to be an Israelite during all of this. Whether it took weeks, months or years to be freed (after hearing God’s promise) I’m certain the rescue wasn’t as quick as the people would’ve preferred.
How does this reality give you hope for the difficult circumstances you are in? Are you wishing God would just hurry up and get you out of your turmoil? Through Exodus, you can see that God’s timing does not change His faithfulness to you.
Christian, trust these amazing Truths: God “who calls you is faithful.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24), “…do not forget this one thing, dear friends…The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.” (2 Peter 3:8-9), “that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6). It will all come to pass in God’s timing.
Trusting in His faithfulness,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor