Have you ever questioned what God is doing? In our story, Moses was obedient to God’s instructions, but it resulted in hardship for the Hebrew people.
15 So the Israelite foremen went to Pharaoh and pleaded with him. “Please don’t treat your servants like this,” they begged. 16 “We are given no straw, but the slave drivers still demand, ‘Make bricks!’ We are being beaten, but it isn’t our fault! Your own people are to blame!” 17 But Pharaoh shouted, “You’re just lazy! Lazy! That’s why you’re saying, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to the Lord.’ 18 Now get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you must still produce the full quota of bricks.” [1] Exodus 5:15-18.
This was not what Moses had anticipated at all. Moses must have felt confused. He had stepped out in faith in obedience, but it seemed to have backfired. Now not only were the people suffering but they were blaming him! As a result, Moses begins to question God.
22 Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? 23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!” [2] Exodus 5:22-23
The Lord can handle any question we have. It is not wrong, but normal, to bring our concerns to God. However, we must come to the Lord with respect and honor, realizing He is perfect in wisdom and knows all things. He does not always reveal the answers to our questions but provides exactly what His people need to know to live for Him.
As God’s people, we must walk by faith and that is not easy. We don’t have God’s perspective. From our perspective what God is doing or not doing does not always make sense. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor. 13:12, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” [3]
If you are questioning God today, refer to the example of Moses. Take time to seek the Lord in prayer with a listening heart. The Lord may not give you the answer you desire but will give you what you need to move forward in faith. To hear more of the story of Moses, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/the-footsteps-of-moses/following-god-brings-challenges
[1,2,3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.