2 Corinthians 1:9 (CSB)
Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.
Have you ever found yourself in circumstances where, regardless of which way you turned, it felt like you were running into a dead end? You felt like you were called to do something for God, and as you go about it, there's a looming sense that everything is going wrong. It's like standing at the edge of a cliff with no safety net in sight. Moses found himself in a similar situation, and we can learn from him the right response and a profound lesson on what to do when everything falls apart.
When Doubt and Reality Collide
Exodus 4:1 (CSB) “Moses answered, “What if they won’t believe me and will not obey me but say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?”
When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses bounced his way to the back of the struggle bus as he considered this massive undertaking. When Moses did take the plunge and followed God's calling, everything went to pot in a hurry. Pharaoh responded the way Moses expected, and he increased the Israelites’ burdens. When he did, the Israelites blamed Moses for their suffering (Exodus 5:21). Yet, what did Moses do? He went to God first with his complaint, saying, “Isn’t this what I told you would happen?” (Exodus 5:22-23).
Sometimes God orchestrates circumstances so that all roads lead back to Him. Moses didn't have the option of involving other people because no one was with him when God called him. And if he did consult Aaron or someone else, he was running the risk of discouraging them. When you find yourself in situations where you have nowhere to turn but to God, you're faced with the raw, undiluted power and faithfulness of God. It's as if God is saying, “Trust Me with this; let Me show you what I can do.”
Growing on the Struggle Bus
James 1:2–4 (CSB) “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
The truth is that our faith is purified in the crucible’s fire. When Moses saw the Red Sea part, when he witnessed the water gushing from the rocks in the desert, and manna raining down from heaven, his faith was purified. No man could take credit for these miracles, it was obvious these miracles were from God. All of Israel's praise and worship took on a new dimension of joy because they had witnessed firsthand the mighty power of God.
Have you ever had a financial crisis where you were flooded with worries about meeting all your financial obligations? Like Moses, you might have felt like you were up against a wall. It's in times like these that you must consider that your afflictions might be a divine appointment so God can show himself strong in your life. Instead of panicking or seeking human advice first, go straight to God, express your fears, and ask for His guidance. When you do, you lay the groundwork for your faith to grow and for God to act in ways that you never imagined. When this happens, your faith will be purified, and your praise and worship will be magnified.
So when you find yourself in a place where there is nowhere to turn but to God, remember the story of Moses. Let it serve as an invitation from God for you to experience His faithfulness and power firsthand. It might just be that God is extending you an invitation to expand your faith and deepen your praise. Pray for the strength of faith to embrace your struggle and entrust all your worries and anxieties to God. When you do, you might just experience that the same power that guided Moses and delivered the nation of Israel is also working in your life to ultimately lead you to live your Kingdom purpose in your generation.