Exodus 2:1-10
Today is just one of those days - we all have them, you know the kind: woke up feeling completely exhausted and a little under the weather, had a headache since 7 AM, technology seems to have declared war on me for the day, and on top of all that, I have homework and other daily stresses that come with living in the midst of a sinful world.
Nothing seems to want to work in my favor.
As I read Exodus chapter 2 this evening, I'm given the opportunity to reflect on the struggles of Moses's mother, along with every other mother who bore a baby boy during the time of the Israelites' slavery in Egypt.
How incredibly stressful, disappointing, and ultimately crushing it must have been to carry a child for nine months, only to bear it and realize that either a) the baby was going to be taken by Egyptian soldiers or b) you'd have to eventually find a way to get rid of him before he got too old to keep.
I can't even begin to imagine the heartbreak the baby's mother must have felt as she laid her 3-month-old son into a basket and set him afloat in the Nile, depending on nothing by the love and grace of God and the watchful (but ultimately incapable, should crisis arise on he river,) eyes of her young daughter.
Though we may not have days as bad as letting our babies go on rivers, we've experienced heartache, doubt, fear, frustration. We know what it's like to have awful days, to be in a complete lack of control over what happens next, and to have to depend completely and fully on God for what comes next, be it good or bad. Along with that full reliance comes the trust and faith that, no matter what the outcome may be, we have a powerful and loving God who takes control for us and works everything out for His glory.
God worked the baby in the basket out for good. The baby was rescued, and then returned to his birth mother until he was weaned. (Imagine her joy!!) The baby went on to become a great man and leader of God's chosen people. The mother fully put her trust in God, and He worked it out for good, in so many different ways.
The next time you experience stress, or maybe if you're experiencing it now, remember that there's a plan, a purpose. You may not see those come through your current struggles, but always have confidence in His love, His protection, and His planning skills. He always has your best interest in mind.
Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
