Lessons from the Life of Moses Part 2: When Remaining Confident is Hard
(Photo by Margarida CSilva on Unsplash)
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10
Moses had a confidence problem, and that's often the case with believers today. It's hard to keep your confidence in Me when every little setback rocks your faith, and you are back asking Me what's going on and wondering if you can trust Me. You can trust Me, and I will remind you of this as often as you need Me to. You don't see the bigger picture but only what's in front of you.
When Moses and Aaron went before Pharaoh, Pharaoh wouldn't let them go just like I said. What I didn't say and what rocked Moses was that Pharaoh would increase the labor of the slaves and they would doubt I had spoken. Moses lost his confidence because all he could see was what was happening right then. I told him I would use him to lead the people out of slavery and things had just gotten worse. Moses may have been thinking things like, "Maybe it wasn't God that spoke to me. Maybe I heard wrong. Maybe this is punishment for what I did forty years earlier when I killed the Egyptian for beating up a Hebrew. Maybe God isn't going to rescue His people after all." We know that none of those things were true. But Moses wasn't sure of anything right then.
You can understand because you have been where Moses was. You step out in faith and pray for your prodigal. You can't see how it will happen, but you choose to believe I will rescue them. You pray faithfully, and things get worse. Or something positive happens and you rejoice..."God is working!" you say. Your faith increases and your confidence soars. But then your prodigal does something sinful or hurtful and all of a sudden things look bad again or worse. You can't believe it. "Why did you let this happen, Lord? Why did you ask me to pray? I thought You were going to rescue my prodigal, but instead, things are getting worse, not better. I don't think prayer is helping or making a difference." Sound familiar? Listen to Moses after Pharaoh increased the Israelite's labor: "Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!" (Ex. 5:22-23 NLT).
When things get worse, remaining confident is hard. But it doesn't mean I'm not working, or I am unaware. It doesn't mean I have lost control of the situation. It appeared to Pharaoh that he was winning, but he was mistaken. I knew what he was doing. I wanted Moses to stay the course. I encouraged him to keep trusting. I desired that Moses' confidence would remain, but just like I didn't give up on him when he wanted out of the assignment, I was not giving up on him now. I told him, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. When he feels the force of my strong hand, he will let the people go. In fact, he will force them to leave the land." (Ex. 6:1 NLT).
Right now, you are waiting for the rescue to take place. I haven't told you when it will happen. If you are discouraged and feeling like staying confident in My promises is too hard, I will always be here to remind you of who I am and what I am capable of doing. I am faithful to do everything I have said I will do. I love you, and I know it's hard, but I am here. I will give you strength when you turn to Me. I will give you wisdom when you ask for it. I will give you hope when you keep your eyes on Me. I am the One who is able to do more than you can think or imagine; the One who is able to keep you from falling; the One who will redeem you from the pit; and the One who will complete the good work I have begun. Even though it's hard, dear one, I encourage you to stay confident in Me. I encourage you to run to Me and bask in My love for you and your prodigal. I will be here to shelter you when it's hard. And I am here right now, loving you with an everlasting love. You do not disappoint Me because I know how hard it is to remain confident when your world around you is shaking. That's why I tell you that I am your strong tower; that the righteous run to it and are safe (Prov. 18:10). Run to Me now, precious one!
The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (BSB)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 (BSB)
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 62:5 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jude 1:24 (KJV)
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
Psalm 103:4 (NIV)
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)