I AM (Exodus 5-6:30) - Jan. 21, 2018

Sometimes when we follow the will of God, our circumstances actually get worse. As Andrew Schey points out, even though Moses is told what's going to happen, the experience of Pharaoh's rejection is hard to take, causing disillusionment for not only Moses but also the Israelites. Moses' experience parallels Jesus' teaching that in this life we will experience hardship. Although we are told what to expect, it is much harder to accept experientially. As a result, circumstantial hardship often shakes the foundation of our faith and leaves us feeling like God over-promised and under-delivered. But by pairing glory and suffering, we acknowledge hardship as part and parcel to our development as followers of Jesus and point to the promise of glory that we cling to in faith.