Forged by Fire

Forged by Fire
Exodus 5:22-23

"Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.” Exodus ‭5:22-23 ‬

On Moses first and subsequent attempts to tell Pharaoh to let God's people go, things didn't go well. Instead of letting the people go, Pharaoh made things much more difficult. And Moses gets blamed for it all. What did Moses do? He turned to the Lord and told Him exactly what was going on. In fact, he blamed God. And he questioned God for ever sending him in the first place. But of course none of this caught God by surprise. All that was taking place would be for the good of the people and the glory of God. Moses, who doubted his calling from the beginning, would become one of the greatest leaders in all of history. And the people of God would leave Egypt with great provisions and having witnessed the power of God.

Just because the things you are doing for God don't seem to be working out, does not mean God is not in it. Like a sword that is forged by fire, which shapes it and sharpens it, so too God forges His finest leaders. Obstacles can be like the tools of a blacksmith that he uses to bring about a desired end.

So if you know God called you, but it's hard right now, don't allow the enemy to make you think God is leaving you hanging out to dry. He's with you each step of the way. Like Moses, turn to God in prayer. Don't be afraid to tell Him your doubts and fears. He knows them already. He can handle it. And He is able, through prayer, through communion with Him, and through time in His word, to encourage and strengthen you.

In a very dark period in Job's life, he said, “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold" (Job‬ ‭23:8-10‬). It's been said, "don't doubt in the dark what God has revealed to you in the light." Although that is a very good exhortation that we should apply, the truth is, sometimes we do doubt. But even in our doubts, the Lord is still at work, He still hears our cries, He understands, He sympathizes and He's been there. Jesus prayed, "Father, let this cup pass from me." But in the end, He trusted His Father's good will. What was His will? To save us, through His sacrifice on the cross, from our sin and give us eternal access to the Father. He knows where you are. He hasn't forsaken you.

Great leaders are forged in the fire where they learn to pray, love, sympathize, live and trust like Jesus. You didn't hear wrong. He did send you. He did call you and He will accomplish His good will in and through your life. You will come forth as gold.