Good morning everyone!
Exodus chapter 5.
Initially, the Israelites were delighted to see and hear of Moses and Aaron coming because they heard about the Miracles with the staff and we're confident they would be rescued right away and would experience freedom. But, instead they were met with opposition and their expectations we're not met. When we are called to do the work of the Lord, expect opposition. Satan has no desire to lay down and let God have his way. God will allow opposition, why?
1. Opposition helps us trust God verse trusting our own abilities. It's easy to say look what I did when we face no opposition.
2. Opposition means God gets the glory and not us. When we face opposition it would be easy to feel like it's impossible to see Deliverance when in fact when it happens we know it had to be of God and we give him the glory.
3. Opposition helps our wisdom and character to grow stronger in faith and trust. It's easy to trust God when everything falls into place just as we want it to. But can we trust God when we face opposition and it goes a different direction? Do we complain or thank God for being in control despite the circumstances? When we learn to be patient and Trusting of God, then we could encourage others who go through similar circumstances.
We read in chapter 5 about how things went for the Hebrews after Moses and Aaron spoke with Pharaoh about letting the people go to hold a feast to the Lord. Pharaoh said that he didn’t know the Lord and that he wouldn’t obey Him. Talk about having someone burst your bubble! Pharaoh was determined to punish the people and show them who was boss, but he will soon find out who the real boss is. Sometimes we may encounter people like Pharaoh who seem miserable and want to make life miserable for everyone else. It can be challenging to always respond to them in a Christlike way. I don’t like to face conflict or deal with opposition, but I think that it’s important to remember that God is ultimately the One who is in control especially during those times when things may seem to be out of control.
I’m reminded of what it says in Galatians 6:7-10. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
It’s a good reminder, isn’t it – that even when God is at work, the road is not always smooth. He continues to groom and grow us just as Pastor Blair said. My second takeaway today is not to complain to people, bosses, siblings, etc., when things are not going well. Take it to the Lord first for His direction – just like Moses did.
I took PBs 3 points and added my own twist.
1. Opposition helps us trust God verse trusting our own abilities. It’s easy to say look what I did when we face no opposition.
this is very true specially coaching in the athletic field
2. Opposition means God gets the glory and not us.
ill never forget when my spiritual adviser said to me early in my walk, “just because your a Christian doesn’t mean life is going to be with out hardships.
3. Opposition helps our wisdom and character to grow stronger in faith and trust. It’s easy to trust God when everything falls into place just as we want it to.
we live in a dark world, and it seems to me that the more good i do the more the devil works overtime trying to push me off my path. God does not preform magic, God preforms miracles.
So here comes Moses, already questioning his ability to do what God has called him to do, wondering why God would choose him. He goes to Pharoah who says he has no idea who this God is that Moses refers to and then proceeds to make things harder for the Israelites. How discouraging that must have been. But it’s like everyone said. God doesn’t promise a smooth, opposition free, easy road. Sometimes it’s hard to understand why things happen they way they do when we feel like we’re doing what God has called us to do. But I suppose if we were able to do it on our own, there would be no reason to rely on God.
This chapter reminds me that sometimes in life we will try to offer help to others. The help that we offer may not always bring them the outcome they expect, in the time they expect it to come. And maybe hardships will happen and they will be angry with us for our advice. It’s a reminder that no matter what, we must stand in our beliefs and stand in Christ. Like a lot of you said at times this humbles us because we want the praise and recognition for good things and blessings in others lives. I know I struggle a lot with wanting praise and affirmation when things go well, when truly, all the glory goes to God. Moses gave into our human nature to blame God when things did not turn out for the Israelites. In all things He works for us! To better our lives and our situations. May we see that the oppositions we sometimes face, are all working for good.