Hearing his voice on the other end of the phone provided a momentary comfort that was quickly snuffed out. He was frustrated, feeling alone, overwhelmed, and needed me there. It was about 30 days since I had seen my husband and 30 days into my new job. We were seven hours away, separated by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and adverse weather that would not let up and prevented us from being together.
With each passing day, I became more dispairing and he became more discontent. He carried the weight of working ten-hour days and navigating the pressures of selling and packing up our home alone. I carried him to the feet of Jesus every morning and evening as 30 days turned into 4 months.
It was a difficult season for us. We held on to the promise of God that He would release a flood of refreshing water and new life would come in a new land. Yet, we did not anticipate that we would be navigating this transition apart.
But the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel and about Pharaoh king of Egypt: to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt.” Exodus 6:13 (ESV)
God gave Moses and Aaron a tall order to fill at a time when they may have been wondering if God would provide. This wasn’t the first time God told Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. Three chapters before, when God first called Moses, He said, “‘Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt’” (Exodus 3:10, ESV).
A lot had transpired between God’s instruction to Moses in Exodus 3 and His repeat instruction in Exodus 6. Moses had obeyed God. He went to Pharaoh and told him to let God’s people go.
Unfortunately, Pharaoh’s response was not what everyone had hoped for. Mose’s request was met with retaliation. Not only did he refuse to let God’s people go, but Pharaoh also limited their resources while demanding the same amount of production. Consequently, Israel’s spirit was broken. “Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor” (Exodus 6:9, NIV).
God’s people turned against Moses, blaming him for their laborious and harsh circumstances that made their captivity intolerable. (Exodus 5:20-21) Between God’s first and second instructions to Moses, everything just got worse. Because of the events that unfolded the Israelites began to question whether or not God was going to be faithful to His word. (Exodus 5:20-23) But God’s response remained unchanged. Even in the midst of harsh circumstances, God’s plan never changed.
In the eight chapters that follow in the book of Exodus, we see God’s purpose for His people and His plans fulfilled just as He promised. Moses and the people of Israel may have doubted, become frustrated, and even dispairing as they wondered if God’s plans would ever come to fruition. Despite their doubt, God’s plans were still good.
Despite the uncomfortable and even painful circumstances, we find ourselves in, God’s plans are still good. You might not be able to see how God will work it all out but you can trust that His plans are good. When life looks completely different than we expected and we begin to question whether we heard God correctly, God’s plans are still good.
We learned so much about God’s unwavering love for us that strengthened our faith and marriage. I imagine the Israelites learned a few things about themselves and God too. Difficult seasons do that – they expose our weaknesses and strengths. I think that is part of God’s good plans for us as well.
My husband and I may have been separated by miles but we were never divided in God’s faithfulness to bring us to a place we now call home. While there is too much to mention that God has done for us, I can tell you this; He drew me into new prayer-filled spaces within His throne room, embraced my husband and me with His love and comfort, and led us moment by moment gently and humbly as we walked unmarked paths with Him. I know that He will do the same for you.
On those days when you question God and can’t understand what’s happening, trust Him. Don’t lean on your own understanding but grab hold of His Word, His Promises, and His love. Trust Him anyway and God will show you how good He is.
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