The Problems Ahead

“I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.” Exodus 3:8 NASB

God had heard the cries of His people. He saw “their sufferings” and promised to deliver them from the “power of the Egyptians.” He even told Moses that He would “bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”

How glorious this must have sounded! But they might not have realized the implications. For God was saying that this special land already was occupied by other peoples. Yes, He had prepared a great land for them, but they would face opposition. The “milk and honey” was there, but they would need to fight for it.

In our lives, how wonderful to know God’s promises. To realize how much He loves us. To look forward to the blessings He has prepared for us. But, as the Israelites learned, in the process of receiving these blessings, we can face challenges.

In these moments, we must remember that God knows what is ahead for us. He knows the problems we will face. How often we simply want the promised blessings handed to us, without effort. But we need to go through whatever circumstances lie on our path.

To help us, He has given us His Word, filled with promises and principles by which we are to live. He has equipped and empowered us! He has told us that, along the way, we may face many obstacles and opposition. We may face discouraging circumstances and criticism.

If this happens, don’t be surprised, or feel hopeless. Remember that God is with you. You simply need to obey and trust Him. And, remember: He knows the road ahead.

Prayer: Father, I trust in You through every circumstance I face. Thank You for victory. I trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.