The Right Thing at the Right Time

Moses met with God, often in dramatic fashion; the Word tells us that “the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush’” (Exodus 3:2). At that time God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt and he had to upend his life to follow the leading of the Lord. “So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, ‘Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt’ … And Jethro said to Moses, ‘Go in peace’” (Exodus 4:18-19). After Moses decided to obey God, he submitted to the leadership of Jethro, which is a significant principle to understand.

When we do the right thing in the right order, God says, “I’ve prepared the way and I’ll give you the directions for what’s going to take place next.” This is very important as we look at Moses’ life and ministry. He went back to Egypt and, as we know, was met with strong opposition in getting the children of Israel out of Egypt. Pharaoh was increasingly oppressive and the situation was seemingly hopeless (read the account in Exodus 5).

Even though God had done many great miracles for the Israelites, he didn’t seem to be working on their behalf at that point. Moses had done everything right and the Israelites were working as hard as they could, but God seemed silent. As we look at this story, we know that God was there all the time with Moses and the Israelites — and eventually they were delivered from Egypt into marvelous victory.

Perhaps you have heard from God, you’ve submitted to leadership, said whatever God wanted you to say, and gone where God wanted you to go. But it seems as though everything is going wrong and God is against you — but is he? No! Actually, he is just teaching you — to lead you into a place of promise. When Jesus felt furthest from God, he cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). But at that moment he was in the center of God’s will doing the work of redemption for all humanity!

Be encouraged if you’re going through a difficult season: “Know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).  

^{Pastor Tim pastored an inner-city congregation in Detroit for thirty years before serving at Brooklyn Tabernacle in NYC for five years. He and his wife Cindy presently pastor in Lafayette, Louisiana.}