When God sent Moses back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh and demand the release the of the nation of Israel from slavery, he notifies Moses that there’s going to be opposition. “The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.” (Exodus 4:21)
Rejected, but
Moses’ request is rejected not once, not twice, not even four or five times. Moses is rejected ten times. Ten. In the face of that opposition Moses was expected to persist. Not get frustrated, discouraged, or hopeless, but to “perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do,” and persist in faith at doing the work that God had called him to.
Persistent faith
God has called you to something today. It may not be taking a nation out of slavery, but God has put a task before you today that you need to accomplish. There’s going to be be people and circumstances that stand against you doing that thing. Ignore them or confront them, but don’t let them stop you. Persist in faith by continuing forward through the opposition into the victory that God has already won in through Jesus Christ.
Remember the truth that gave Moses hope. God told him beforehand that he was the one hardening Pharaoh’s heart so that he could demonstrate his power and glory to Egypt. Everything, even the opposition you’re facing, is in God’s hands.
Has already overcome
Hundreds of years after Moses, Jesus gathered his disciples and warned them that the world would be against them if they followed him, even to the point where they would be killed for doing his will. At the end of John 16, Jesus reminds his followers, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
There’s going to be trouble. There’s going to be opposition. But don’t worry about it. Jesus has already overcome and the Father has always been in control. Be bold in pursuing what God has put before you. Persist in faith. As you do that your reward – in this life and the next – will be great. Who knows, maybe you will end up leading a nation out of slavery and into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
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