It Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better

April 8

Read: Exodus 5, 6:1

It Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better

“Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.” (v.22)

If the only metric you have for success is “things going well” or things happening the “way you expect them to”, then you will be sorely disappointed in this life. God almost exclusively works in the least likely, most unexpected ways. More often than not, “it is going to get worse before it gets better”. Anytime there is change, there is an inevitable season of pain or growth immediately following it while this new, healthy direction is settled into. This cosmic truth is worked out in businesses, fitness plans, medicine, and in our spiritual journey’s. The only steadfast metric for success - as far as the people of God are concerned - is “am I doing what God has asked me to?” Anything else subjects us to the capriciousness of others, the unpredictability of the world, and the truth that doing worthwhile things will always be difficult. We will be sent into despair and crushed by the disappointments of this world if we anchor success anyplace else.

We see this worked out in Aaron and Moses. They did exactly what God had asked them to, and Pharaoh responded exactly as God had forewarned. The unforeseen consequence was that the plight of God’s people was made WORSE. (Same number of bricks, no straw provided v.4-9) Moses and Aaron were shook… distraught… understandably so! Moses cried out to the Lord; “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.” (v.22) Moses did not understand the truth we are talking about. Things were not unfolding the way he expected them to unfold. Aaron and he had lost credibility with the people that would not be regained for quite a while. I am sure his fears of rejection came rushing back again… those same fears form 40 years earlier! The end result was despair and anxiety for him. The Lord heard his cries.

How does God respond?: “But the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.” This phrase “strong hand” is an odd one. Think of the powerful way God will set his people free? Think of the way that seeing that power put on display will shape the people as the move into the promised land. Think of the way that the Egyptians will give them gold and valuables so they leave Egypt chock-full of riches and resources. This is sending with a “strong hand”. If we want to experience the power of God, see him fight for us, and receive rich blessing as we enter into the “land” God has for us… we need to endure the “bricks without straw”. Things will get worse before they get better.

Our circumstances are a poor measurement of our success in the Lord. Our truest goal must be obedience and faithfulness towards doing what God has asked us to do. Only then will we survive the necessary “dips within the curve” as we grow in faith and relationship with Christ. It is then that we can “take heart” because we know what is coming. It is then that we can, as it is written in James, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2) Strength and confidence… a “strong hand”… comes to those who trust the Lord and endure the discomfort that must always precede the freedom and breakthrough. God will speak to you in the moments - as he did Moses - and remind you of HIS mission and purpose. If you cry out to him, he will come and remind you once again that he is with you! Love you guys. - JDP

PS- I wold appreciate your prayers. I have the chance to be a part of a men’s retreat this weekend as a part of my new role at 3GEN Ministries. (3GENministries.org) I am excited for the time together with approx. 200 men and have a chance to do some teaching as well. I will be out of cell service and not able to send Devo’s. If you think of it, lift up the men this weekend as we study the scriptures, worship, and rest. Look forward to writing again on Monday. - Josh