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Obstacles & Oppositions: Buckle, dont’ Cave in
Rod Shimabukuro19The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day.” 20When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, 21and they said, “May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” Exodus 5:19-21
This story of Moses and Israel’s deliverance is incomprehensible to me. The magnitude of God’s specific instruction to Moses to confront Pharaoh is frightening! Pharaoh is confronted to release Israel from their labors to worship God in the wilderness. The foreknowledge of God sites Pharaoh rejecting Moses’ request, thus beginning the torture and hardship of the people.
The Israelite leadership who once were “all in” for God’s plans, are immediately confronting Moses and Aaron in fear of Pharaoh, since he rejected their request.
I’m still learning as a spiritual leader, to hear God’s voice on behalf of others in the family of God. What I’m hearing and the instructions I’m giving to people, will not always be accepted, followed. There may be questions, push back, even obstinance towards my decisions and leadership. I may buckle in be rattled emotionally when I encounter trouble, but I don’t want to Cave In!
My take aways:
- I want to be an obedient listener to God and other leaders/people.
- I want to be decisive, confident and stay the course in and for God.
- I want to be strong when there is fear, opposition to what I feel in God’s plan.
- I want to motivate God’s people towards faith and trust in the Lord.
- If and when I fail in any way (in hearing God, or misleading people) that I would be fully repentant, humble and gracious.
Thank you Lord, for Moses, this story - for Your grace and patience and faithfulness - to Your people then…to me, my family now! Your amazing in kindness and I want to trust You, Your voice, purposes - to better lead Your people - to hear, know, grow in and live for You! GOD I LOVE YOU!!!!!!
