Thursday, April 15, 2021

Exodus 6:9 -- On Anguish and Hope

"And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage."
Exodus 6:9


This is part of the story of Israel being delivered from slavery in Egypt, after Moses tried to get Pharoah to let everyone go, and instead he made their burdens greater. So, when Moses promises them again that God will deliver them, it's hard to believe. So far, things seem worse. It's a similar story to Nephi and his brothers going back for the Brass plates, and Laban stealing everything they own and trying to kill them... I mean, it's hard to keep believing after you try to do what God asks and fail repeatedly, and end up worse than before. You wonder if you heard wrong, or you're doing it wrong, or something is just inherently wrong with you spiritually.

I think sometimes the bad chapters in our lives are because God is trying to give other people the chance to do the right thing too.  He loved Pharoah and he loved Laban, and wanted them to have that chance to soften their hearts and listen to the spirit before escalating... but even though the bad chapters are disheartening, having faith in the Lord is remembering that he is leading us to a happy ending.  If we keep reading and trusting and turning those pages, doing whatever we can to push the plot forward, in the end everything will work out for good.

Today, let's remember that the discouraging times are only the middle chapters, and that the hero isn't ever meant to fail.  Each of us can be the hero, as we turn to Christ and walk with him on the path he shows us.  Let's listen when God promises to deliver us, because no matter how dark the dungeon of our lives, the sun will rise and our God will always come to save us. :)

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