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Note: This post is part of the Two Weeks of Waiting Devotional. To return to the table of contents for the devotional, click here. To read this as a downloadable ebook, subscribe below.
I’m sure you’ve realized this already, but it’s still worth saying: If you’re waiting for a baby, God didn’t promise you He’d give you one.
If you’re waiting for your illness to go away, God didn’t promise you He’d heal you (not on this side of the grave, anyway).
If you’re desperately waiting for all of your dreams to come true, God didn’t promise you that, either.
That doesn’t mean we stop praying for those things. But it does irritate me when people respond to desperate times of waiting with a flippant, “Have faith!” (Or worse, “Keep believing!”)
Have faith in what? I have faith in God, yes. Do I have faith that He is going to give me what I want? No, because He never promised me that.
So what does God promise you while you wait?
Let’s take a look at the story of Moses. Not the strong, parting the waters, faithful Moses, but the reluctant, negative, complaining Moses.
Remember him?
“Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” -Moses to God (Exodus 3:11)
“O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” -Moses to God (Exodus 4:13)
“You have not rescued your people at all.” -Moses to God (Exodus 5:23)
That’s how I feel sometimes, too. Please call someone else to go through this instead of me. God, you have not rescued me at all.
And remember how God responded to Moses?
“I will be with you.” -God to Moses (Exodus 3:12)
“I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.” -God to Moses (Exodus 4:15)
“I am the Lord.” -God to Moses (Exodus 6:2)
God never took away Moses’ hardship. He didn’t take away his calling.
Instead, he promised that He would always be with him and that He would strengthen him. He reminded Moses of who He is. And despite his complaining, Moses obeyed God.
Have you considered that your current struggle is a calling? Your hardships inevitably come with a calling: To remain faithful, and to set an example for other believers.
God will always keep every promise, even while you wait: He will be with you, strengthen you, and continually remind you of who He is. Now you are challenged to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Ephesians 4:1)
Further study + reflection
Read and review Exodus 3-6. What other promises does God make to Moses? Do you see yourself in Moses? Think about what other callings come along with the hardship you’re going through. What does God promise you when you are struggling to live a life worthy of this calling?
Note: This post is part of the Two Weeks of Waiting Devotional. To return to the table of contents for the devotional, click here. To read this as a downloadable ebook, subscribe below.
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