When God Says That He Will, He Will

Imagine the scene. The Hebrews have been slaves in Egypt for about four hundred years (Genesis 15:13 and Exodus 12:40-41). Their lives are bitter, and their hopes are small. They entered Egypt to survive a famine, at the invitation of Pharaoh and there they prospered and multiplied. Joseph, second in charge of all of Egypt, made sure of that. Pharaoh had given the Hebrews the best of the land. Eventually Joseph and all memory of him died and the tides turned, not in favour of Israel but against them.

This was not a ‘rags to riches’ story, but vice versa. The Hebrews were demoted from invited guests to the lowest of society. No rights. No possibility of advancement or deliverance. Only the expectation of ongoing hardship and never-ending labour. Then, to make matters worse, Pharaoh orders the unfathomable – murder! The newborn Hebrew females were given a reprieve, but the males were to be wrenched from their parents’ arms and thrown into the River Nile.

Into this frightening scenario, Moses is born. It can’t get much worse, can it? Yet, despite how desperate circumstances looked, God had heard the cries of His people and from this tiny babe, He would raise up a deliverer. Through Moses, and later through Joshua, God accomplished everything He promised Israel He would do. When God declares, ‘I will …’, you can be assured that He will.

I wonder what promises God has made to you, promises which are still waiting to come to fruition. Maybe it is financial provision, or the restoration of a relationship, or your own healing. Whatever it is, be assured that our God is faithful and will do what He said He would do. He is ‘not like man that he should lie’ (Numbers 23:19). The Hebrews must have felt at times that God was deaf to their prayers and blind to their suffering, but He wasn’t. He could both see and hear.

God had a plan for Israel’s deliverance and at the right time, He executed His plan. The tides turned. The Egyptians were humbled, and the Hebrews were freed. The seemingly unnecessary delay was not a denial, but God working behind the scenes, bringing about His purposes. Take courage child of the Living God, for He is at work in your life too. When He says, ‘I will…’, be assured that He will!

Prayer: Father God, You are faithful and will do what You said you would do, both in my life and in the lives of others. Thank You that You are not deaf to my prayers or blind to my circumstances. I choose to keep on trusting You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.