It’s hard to be obedient when the outcome is unknown.
In Exodus 6, God promises to redeem Israel from slavery of the Egyptians but not before hardening Pharaoh’s heart against them. Nine plagues and a hardened heart later, God sends the tenth and final plague, the death of the firstborn in Egypt.
God asks Israel to be obedient, even though they have no idea what is going to happen. They have to trust that God’s promise to them still remains true.
Grasping for Control in Waiting
I don’t know about you, but my faith can waiver if God isn’t showing up in my timing. Recently, there have been some changes at work that have made me feel fearful and anxious. Because the changes were out of my control and unexpected, I immediately went into defense mode. I was quick to fear the unknown instead of trusting God.
Do you tend to grasp for control when circumstances go differently than you expected? If so, hi! Welcome to the club. After taking some time to sit with the Lord and process the changes, I can see that He’s been preparing my heart for this news all along.
Earlier this year, I started reading Mark Vroegop’s book called Waiting Isn’t a Waste. One thing that Mark emphasizes in the book is that waiting is biblical. A perfect example of waiting in the Bible is the story of the Israelites. The Israelites waited for God to rescue them from slavery from Egypt. Do you think they patiently waited with great faith? I guarantee they struggled.
So, why is waiting so hard? Everything in our world tells us to get answers and to get them right now. With recent technological advances and the introduction of ChatGPT, we can get answers to almost anything in the matter of milliseconds. We want answers because we value knowledge. We want answers because we want peace of mind. We want answers because we feel the need to be in control. We want answers because we want to be the god of our own lives.
Ouch. It didn’t feel good typing that last sentence. If I’m honest, it’s true. Instead of submitting and surrendering to God’s plan, which is unknown, I want Him to submit and surrender to my plan. But that’s not how the Christian life works.
Waiting with God’s Grace
By God’s grace, we don’t get all the answers. Let me say that again. It is by God’s grace that we don’t get all the answers.
How do I know this is true? Let’s look at our passage for today as an example. Do you think if the Israelites would’ve known they would have to endure ten plagues before getting freedom from slavery, they would’ve followed God’s plan? I don’t think so. So, what did God do instead? He reminded them of His character and His plan with each plague. He knew exactly what they could handle. And He knew exactly what they couldn’t handle, knowing all ten plagues up front.
With the tenth and final plague, God tells each Israelite household to kill a spotless lamb and put its blood over their doorpost. In doing this, He will pass over their house, leaving their firstborn alive. I can imagine the Israelites fear and trembling as they willingly obey God’s command. They had to trust that He would do what He said He would do.
God fulfilled His promise to the Israelites. Their lives were spared, and Pharaoh set them free. The Israelites kept Passover as an annual ceremony for the rest of time. Why? Because it symbolizes something greater than the tenth plague. Passover symbolizes our Spotless Lamb, Jesus Christ, who shed His blood to cover our sins so that our lives would be spared from death and eternal separation from God. Wow! The Greater Passover is that Jesus sets us free from sin.
After the Israelites are set free from slavery to Egypt, they wait 1500+ years until the Greater Passover Lamb comes into the world, not as a triumphant king, but as a newborn baby. Their waiting wasn’t a waste at all. It served an intentional and impactful purpose.
Waiting in the Assurance of God’s Character
As I write this devotional today, there are plenty of things I’m waiting for. Waiting for clarity at work. Waiting for a husband. Waiting for friends to get answers from doctors about health concerns. But I can confidently say that God’s character and promises remain the same.
Because of my relationship with Jesus, my hope is secure and eternal in Him. God has a plan that far surpasses my knowledge and is far better for me than I could ever imagine. The Creator of the universe chose me as His daughter and fulfills His will in my life in His perfect timing.
Whatever you’re waiting for today, this season of waiting isn’t a waste. God is with you when it feels hard and heavy. I’m praying with you as you long for what’s unfulfilled. Until then, let’s cling to the truth of Psalm 145 that speaks to the greatness of our God.
Psalm 145 ESV
I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your[b] mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
[The Lord is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.]
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
