20 When they left Pharaoh’s presence, the foremen met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them. 21 And the foremen said to them, “May the Lord look upon you and judge you, because you have made us odious (something hated) in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and you have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
Exodus 5: 20 – 21
At first glance it’s easy for us to think: Why would God spoil His own plan by making the lives of His own people so much more difficult? After all, He’s the one that promised Moses that He will set His people free.
Not only did this feel like a low blow for the people of Israel, but to both Moses and Aaron. One might even consider the thought that they too might have wondered if they had heard correctly from the Lord.
The truth is, while the Lord was busy at work in the life of Moses (raising him to become the leader God had called him to be), God also had to do a work in the lives of the Israelites. The only way to do this was to bring about a greater discomfort in their everyday life.
Despite the hardships of living as captive slaves in the land of Egypt… the Israelites somehow found it to be comfortable. For them this was as good a place to settle as any other. Wasn’t it God Himself who placed them there to begin with? It might have been, but history would reveal that this wasn’t the end destination, only a pitstop.
It was promised long ago to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that He would lead His people into a land filled with milk and honey – the land of Canaan. But as long as the Israelites continued finding themselves living comfortably in the land of Egypt, this promise would remained unfulfilled.
It’s been said over and over again: We are creatures of habit, and that we like to make ourselves comfortable, even if that comfortable life means living outside of God’s will and plan. It’s here where God allows our circumstances to become unbearable, so that… He might steer our lives into the direction of the very plans He has had all along.
Today you might find yourself dealing with circumstances that might seem unfair, beyond your comfort zones. Some circumstances might even cause you to want to blame God for not having your back or keeping to the promises He so lavishly highlights throughout the scriptures.
Have you considered that God might just be causing you some discomfort, so that… He can move you?
As long as we remain comfortable in the space we find ourselves currently, this isn’t limited to a sinful and destructive lifestyle, we will miss out on the true blessings God has instore for both you and me.
Let us take a page out of the life of Israel. When the time came for them to leave Egypt, to move into the promises God had for them (a nation free to become independent), they did so gladly and they were blessed by those who kept them captive as well.
Don’t become comfortable… you will inevitably miss out on that which God has instore for you.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father. How good it is to know that You want that which is best for me – a life fulfilled in the very plans and desires You set in motion. Forgive my ignorance in the matter and lead me into the very plans You have. Let Your will be done, because I know it will be a life well lived and worth doing all over again. I pray this all in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen