Waypoints: Birth of Moses

The arrival of Moses on the scene in Exodus 1-2 is a great example of how God so often moves in our world. From the vantage point of Scripture we see normal things happening such as humanity forgetting God’s provision in the past, the birth of a baby boy and the marriage of that same boy a number of years later. But there are also elements to the story that are very “God only” such as the continued growth of Israel in the face of persecution, the way Moses was raised by his mother even though he wasn’t supposed to be alive at all and the masterful way that God led Moses to his future wife.
 
This is still the way God acts today. He moves in ways that seem very “normal” as well as ways that seem absolutely “extraordinary.” Today God Almighty is motivated in the same ways as He was in Exodus 2:24-25.
 
God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.
 
So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.
 
When Scripture points out that God remembers it does not mean that He ever forgot. It means that God will now, at just the right time, take the perfect action to bring about what needs to happen. In Exodus 2 God will be bringing Israel back into a deep connection with Himself through His deliverance. He will also be proclaiming to Pharaoh and all of Egypt that He alone is God and worthy to be worshiped.
 
This dual purpose is needed in my life today as well. This past week I was brought to a place of crying out to my God and then resting in the truth that He heard me. He will get me through and give me all I need. It was also a good week to be reminded that there are many distractions and temptations to worship “false gods.” The reason I used quotes is because I could easily miss the fact that I was tempted to worship at places I shouldn’t. Look at the following sentences and see if you can join me in naming the false gods.

• I worship _______ when I get anxious paying bills.
• I worship _______ when I want this, and this, and …
• I worship _______ when I would rather do nothing than serve …
  

God was shaping Moses for the calling He had upon his life. God is shaping you and me for the calling He has placed on our lives. There are obvious things that He is opening for us to do that are quite easily seen and there are the unseen faith based aspects to our future that come into light when we worship the One True God with our lives.
 
The story of Moses and the Exodus is quite a ride. Are we up for a ride that will require faith as well or are we only wanting a life doesn’t really require faith at all? Are we wanting to be about things that stretch us as God moves in the world or would we prefer to watch from a distance? The question really boils down to this - do I want to worship God with my life or would I prefer to just talk about worshiping God?
 
In God’s Grace,
Pastor Nick