How can we trust God's timing when facing opposition, as seen in Exodus 3:20? Setting the Scene in Exodus 3 • Israel is enslaved in Egypt, suffering under harsh oppression. • God appears to Moses in the burning bush and reveals His plan to deliver His people. • Opposition is guaranteed: Pharaoh’s heart is hard, and he will resist letting Israel go. The Promise in Exodus 3:20 “So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them; after that, he will let you go.” (Exodus 3:20) Why We Can Trust God’s Timing When Opposition Rises • God is sovereign over rulers and circumstances—His “hand” controls even Pharaoh (Proverbs 21:1). • He announces the outcome before events unfold, proving His foreknowledge (Isaiah 46:9-10). • Delays are purposeful; each plague was timed to display God’s power and dismantle Egypt’s idols. • His timing protects His people, preventing premature escape and guaranteeing complete deliverance (Exodus 12:36). Scriptural Anchors for Waiting on the Lord • Habakkuk 2:3—“Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.” • Psalm 27:14—“Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” • Ecclesiastes 3:1—“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” • Romans 8:28—“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” • Isaiah 55:8-9—God’s higher thoughts and ways assure us that His schedule surpasses ours. Lessons for Today • Resistance does not equal abandonment; it often signals that God is preparing an unmistakable victory. • God’s wonders are timed to gain maximum glory and strengthen our faith. • Trust grows when we remember past deliverances—personal and biblical. • Opposition can refine and ready us for the responsibilities that follow freedom. Practical Steps While Waiting • Remain obedient in the small tasks God has already assigned, like Moses returning to Egypt in faith. • Feed on Scripture daily; let passages such as Hebrews 10:36 and Jeremiah 29:11 realign your perspective. • Cultivate worship: praising God for what He will do anchors the heart in His promises (Psalm 42:5). • Encourage others who are also waiting; shared testimony multiplies hope (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Seeing the Pattern Beyond Exodus • Joseph’s imprisonment (Genesis 50:20) and David’s years fleeing Saul (Psalm 57) mirror Israel’s delay; in each case, God’s timing preserved life and fulfilled promise. • Jesus Himself awaited “the fullness of time” for His incarnation and atonement (Galatians 4:4-5). If the Son trusted the Father’s timetable, so can we. Walking Forward Opposition may loom large, yet the God who stretched out His hand against Egypt still controls every clock and calendar. Anchored in His unchanging Word, we can rest, obey, and watch His perfect timing turn resistance into release. |
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