Today’s Reading: Exodus 5-6, Psalm 35

How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?
Rescue me from their fierce attacks.
Protect my life from these lions! – Psalm 35:17

HAVE YOU EVER ACCUSED GOD OF DOING NOTHING?

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? 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!” – Exodus 5:22-23

So let me ask again — Have you ever been so bold as to accuse God Almighty of doing nothing?

Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh, just as God told them to do, but Pharaoh did not react the way the Israelites expected. God did not provide in the way and in the time His people thought He would. Instead of letting the Israelites go, Pharaoh increased the workload by making the people provide their own straw for making the bricks. When the quota was not met because the straw was no longer provided, the Israelite foremen were whipped and accused of being lazy. The foremen took their anger out on Moses and he took his confusion out on God. God had a plan and He was about to move in such a way that the Hebrew nation would NEVER forget.

“…You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. And I am well aware of my covenant with them. Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!” – Exodus 6:5-8

HE IS THE GOD WHO RESCUES, WHO PROVIDES AND WHO SAVES!

What a powerful word from God! Yet the people were too discouraged by their circumstances to find hope in God’s promises, too consumed by their own pain to see the capacity of God to rescue them and too stubborn to wait on God’s perfect timing and plan.

O Lord, you know all about this.
Do not stay silent.
Do not abandon me now, O Lord.
Wake up! Rise to my defense!
Take up my case, my God and my Lord. – Psalm 35:22-23

ARE YOU TOO DISCOURAGED TO FIND HOPE, TOO CONSUMED TO SEE GOD, TOO STUBBORN TO SIMPLY WAIT FOR GOD TO MOVE?

“But Lord!” Moses objected. “My own people won’t listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I’m such a clumsy speaker!”
But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them orders for the Israelites and for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. – Exodus 6:12-13

I think this would be a good time to simply stop and self-reflect. How often do I whine and complain to God? When was the last time I argued with God, using my ineptness as an excuse not to do what God is asking me to do? Are my emotions taking me to a place of blaming God for my troubles? Does this describe me — too discouraged to find hope, too consumed to see God, too stubborn to simply wait for God to move.

“Oh God, my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God! – Psalm 42:9-11

Father God, when I am tempted to accuse you of doing nothing, help me to remember ALL that you have done in my life — according to your plan and in your time. You are the God who rescues, who provides and who saves. Thank you for your presence in my life! To you be all the glory! Amen.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the day we set aside each year to start a season of confession and repentance. Today is the day to recognize God’s response to our need for a Savior and how unworthy we are of all that He has done for us. By His amazing grace, God saw us in our sinful state and yet he chose to send His one and only Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He hears our groaning and complaining, despite all that He has done for us.

Father God, forgive us for the many times we have sat in self-pity and discouragement, accusing you of forgetting us or for not caring. We choose to give up our demands for justice and our insistence on your favor as we humbly surrender ourselves, posturing ourselves instead for gratitude and submission. Amen.