LORD’S DAY, JANUARY 20
Exodus 5:22-6:1
Hebrews 11:6, 24-28

“… he that cometh to God
must believe that he is …”

TROUBLES – IS GOD STILL IN CONTROL?

The initial euphoria in Exodus 4:30-31 came to a screeching and painful halt. So Moses asked the LORD three questions (Exod 5:22-23). Why had the LORD brought trouble to the Hebrew slaves, why did the LORD send him on this mission, why had the LORD not delivered the people? Moses wanted to know why their troubles had gotten worse instead of better and why had the LORD not delivered His people yet despite him following God’s instructions. Did God fail to anticipate Pharaoh’s reaction? Was it a mistake for Moses to have agreed to go on this mission? Had God lost control? Do you often have similar questions in your heart when you face increased troubles just because you have chosen to obey God and trust His promises? What was God’s answer to these questions?

God simply said, “Now shalt thou see what I will do…” (Exod 6:1). God assured Moses that He was just moving to the next phase. This was not a setback because He was caught off guard. The LORD would control the situation to the point that Pharaoh personally chased the children of Israel out of Egypt! Moses would see. Based upon the current situation it was difficult to see, yet God had brought the situation to exactly what was needed for His next phase. The “high hand” (Exod 14:8) Pharaoh used to increase the labour intensity set the hearts of the Hebrew slaves to the state God wanted them to be: “We cannot tolerate this anymore!” How sovereignly is God in control. Just because we cannot see how a situation is “good,” it does not mean God is not in control. Nothing happens by chance. God is omniscient. But our nature is that we are impatient and any apparent setback at any stage is often interpreted as being out of control. Is there some trouble that has just gotten worse as you obey God in your walk? Have faith that God is in absolute control of every moment and that He is still working, no matter how things may appear.

THOUGHT: What does God’s omniscience mean to me?
PRAYER: LORD, I thank Thee that I can trust Thee fully as Thou knowest the future because Thou controllest it!