Keep on Keeping On – Lessons from Moses

“Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” (Ex 5:23)

“Mom, I feel like a modern day Job.”

The words my son spoke that day on the phone cut right through my heart.

Just a few short weeks earlier he had set off on a big adventure to Nashville for his team training as a door-to-door scholastic book salesman. He had been recruited by a young man only a couple of years older than my son who had been very successful and believed my son would be too. I was skeptical I must admit. Door-to-door sales are one of my worst nightmares. My son, however, was excited at the possibilities before him. He’s a natural with people so talking to strangers is not scary to him. This was the first thing he’d been really excited about in a long time and I had been praying so hard and for so long that something, anything, would ignite a passion. As unlikely as it seemed, I trusted that this was an answer to prayer.

He drove away that May afternoon full of hope, energy and enthusiasm.

I wonder just how much enthusiasm Moses set off for Egypt with? Probably not quite as much as my son exhibited, but they both set off believing they were going and doing what God had called them to do. Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery; my son to sell books.

Then the calls started coming. Mom, I have a flat tire (the first of about 10 he’d experience). Mom, we’ve been assigned to rural Fort Wayne (depressed economy, not exactly the best location for expensive book sales). Mom, I’m really sick (a week lost due to not being able to talk). Mom, my wallet was stolen. Mom, my car was struck by lightening.

Each time I prayed, with him, for him, over him. Praying God – protect him, bless him, lead him, banishing Satan – praying Lord- show him You are there with him. Give him just one good sale to encourage him. Lord – DELIVER HIM.

Four weeks into this adventure and my son had no sales.

Did Moses think, “since God is sending me, surely this will be easy?” One conversation with Pharaoh later that didn’t have the results Moses expected, and in fact resulted in life getting harder for those he was sent to “save,” and he lodged this complaint to God.

“Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.’” (Ex 5:22-23)

The calls from my son kept coming. Mom, I feel defeated. Mom, I spent 2 hours today just sitting by the side of the road.   He started doubting. I started doubting too. God won’t you encourage him? God – WHY won’t you encourage him?

I know that I believed God would make this a great experience for my son. That he’d realize financial success from hard work. He needed this success, this affirmation. But that isn’t what he got. Much like Moses I was asking – Lord, I’m doing everything you ask me to do. Lord, my son is doing everything he’s supposed to be doing. Why is it getting harder for him? Why aren’t you rescuing him? You haven’t done anything at all.

I, like Moses, had an expectation of God that wasn’t met.

What does this kind of experience do to our prayer lives? Do we hang in there long enough to hear God answer? Or do we quit?

What are you praying for that in your most vulnerable and honest moments you say “God, why haven’t you answered? Why haven’t you done anything?” I know these questions. I know the heart hurt that is behind them and it is okay to acknowledge them, to give them voice. When we give them voice, we put ourselves in position to hear the Lord respond.

God answered Moses. He said “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country… I am the LORD.” (Ex 6:1 – 2)

God goes on to remind Moses of Who He was and all He has promised. And then He basically tells Moses to trust that He’ll make good on His promises. Amazingly Moses does. The Israelites’ situation actually gets even worse before God delivers the answer. But Moses just keeps on trusting, keeps on doing what the Lord says to do, keeps on keeping on.

This experience with my son taught me so much about God and His heart. I realized that I was not trusting God with and for my son. I’d written a script and expected God to follow it. I learned I needed to keep on keeping on – trusting, praying, and believing.

When the temptation arises for you to stop keeping on, remember this: God did deliver the Israelites. Not in Moses’ time frame. Not without much angst on their part. But He did and in a way only He could have done.

God will do that for you too. He will answer. God desires for you to know His heart for you in your situation. He is saying to you – “you will see what I will do. Remember I am the LORD. Your LORD. “

Love and blessings,

Denise