Gods Way of Dealing with Failures and Frustration

In Exodus, from chapters three to five, we see that Moses – a run away stranger turned shepherd boy turned leader of the Israelites, a man who had a clear-cut calling to pursue, one who had a God-given purpose in mind and the power to do the God-taught miracles – goes out to Egypt to confront Pharaoh the king, so that he would release the Israelites to worship their Lord. But, as we see in chapter 5, to his dismay, the king simply says ‘No’, and also makes the Israelites work harder with unjustifiable oppression and torture.

Moses struggles to come to terms with this immediate and seemingly impregnable set back because even the people (the beneficiaries) blamed their present situation on Moses. As we too go through these kinds of situations there is often confusion and lack of confidence. But the one right thing Moses did was to share his feelings completely with God – he poured out all that was inside, in his prayer to God.

Prayer paves the way. And God steps in – as we see in chapter 6. There are at least 7 things that the Lord does to encourage and motivate Moses to cling on, to go forward, and to continue the struggle. Acknowledge God’s Promises ‘Then the LORD said to Moses, “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.”’ (Ex 6:1). Our call starts with and continuously depends on the promises of God.

The moment we forget them or fail to believe them, we are lost. To encourage His servants, the Lord gives and reminds of His promises. Today, how much more we need to read and study the Bible for our spiritual survival and success, so that the Lord can give us His precious power-filled promises. Believe in God’s Prophecy The first verse of this chapter is nothing but God’s prophesy about the eventual success of Moses’ mission and God’s plans. God uses His dependable prophecies to encourage His servants.

Sometimes the Lord upgrades His plans or renews them, and if we are ignorant of this, we will miss out His priorities, and our life and toil will become a waste. How much updated are you in your walk with God? Then only we can listen to His prophecies and predictions. And we need to trust Him to the core, once He says something. Trust in God’s Power ‘I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty’ (Ex.6:3).

God reminds His servants of His power to motivate them. Is there anything impossible for the Lord? Delivering the Israelites from Egypt is not at all a problem for Him. It is related to His identity and character, which He will not forfeit. Verse 6 confirms this: ‘I Myself will do it, Moses!’ Because I can do it. So don’t get frustrated about this temporary set back. God is able! Remember God’s goodness in the Past The past brought with it the fond memories of the great deeds of God – especially to the Israelites like Moses who had a great sense for their tradition. History is nothing but His Story – if so, it should motivate us to go forward. If we feel the past belonged to the Lord, why not the present and the future? The Eternal God reigns! By bringing in the names of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Lord injects optimism into Moses’ life.

Rejoice that God’s plan has a Positive End ‘I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment’ (Ex.6:6). All the plans of God will have a positive end – be it the stories of Daniel or Joseph, or the Cross of Calvary! Moses had to be reminded of the thing that there might be temporary setbacks.

But the victory belongs to the Lord of Hosts! Consider it a Privilege to know God Yes, it is a privilege to know God, and this privilege comes through these ‘valuable’ set backs in our lives and ministries. For the first time in history the Lord revealed Himself as Jehovah – and that was to Moses, when he had some critical questions about his God-given role. Knowing God is the greatest thing in a Christian’s life, and Paul knew this – ‘What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ’ (Phil.3:8). Be reassured, God has a Personal interest in you The way God has called us into our particular situations or ministries shows us the fact that these are His plans, and He has a personal interest in us and also on what He has committed in our hands to do. That is what the Lord said to Moses here. If you see the Bible, there are so many references like ‘I will do it’. Yes, we are in His ministry, and it is a matter of His honor and glory that we fulfill the purpose for which we are called. And as long as the Lord takes personal interest in our lives, families and ministries, we need not lose heart, nor fear about failure. If you are going through challenges in life, don’t give up – Turn to Him and His Word. Pour out your feelings to God. Stand up and see what the Lord does for you, as the Lord subsequently did in and through the life of Moses. May the God of Moses who revealed to him reveal Himself to us in Jesus guide us on.