Family Bible Series for July 9: God can be trusted to help in times of struggle

Posted: 6/28/06

Family Bible Series for July 9

God can be trusted to help in times of struggle

• Exodus 3:4-8, 19-21; 4:10-12, 27-31

By Greg Ammons

First Baptist Church, Garland

Perhaps we have voiced the questions openly or wondered them secretly. Does God truly have a purpose for my life? Does my situation really matter to him? Does he have the power to help me in situations that appear overwhelming?

As the book of Exodus opens, the Israelites wondered the same things. They faced an overwhelming situation as slaves in Egypt and needed to know God had the power to act. His people needed to know God was able and willing to help in their situation.

God takes the initiative to help (Exodus 3:4-8)

Pharaoh’s heavy hand made life almost unbearable for God’s people. They labored each day in the hot sun and cried out to the Lord for help. God noticed their trials and heard their cries. So, he took the initiative to help them.

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God ignited a bush in the desert near Moses as he tended the flock of Jethro. Moses decided to see the strange sight of a burning, yet unconsumed, bush (v. 3). As Moses turned aside, God called to Moses from the bush and assured him of his presence (vv. 4-6).

The Lord said: “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. … I am concerned about their suffering. … So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians” (vv. 7-8). God saw the desperate situation and took the initiative to provide help in calling Moses to lead the Israelites.

In a letter from William Tecumseh Sherman to U.S. Grant in 1865, Sherman wrote he was assured of Grant’s help. “I knew that whatever situation I was in, you would come to my aid, if you were still alive.”

God can be trusted much more than even a close friend. Whatever situation you find yourself in, you can know God will take the initiative to help you. He can be trusted.

God’s power exceeds any other (Exodus 3:19-21)

Pharaoh appeared all-powerful to the Israelites. They needed to know God’s power was far superior to any other. God told Moses the king of Egypt would not release the people unless a mighty hand compelled him (v. 19). God said, “So, I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all of the wonders that I will perform among them” (v. 20). When Pharaoh saw the power of God, he would let the people go.

A seminary professor struck up a conversation with a young boy on a bus. He wanted to instruct the young lad about the power of God, so he offered, “I’ll give you this shiny apple if you will tell me something that God can do.” The young boy replied, “I’ll give you a whole barrel of them if you tell me something God can’t do!”

The young boy knew what we often need to know today. God’s power far exceeds any other. Whatever your circumstance, remember this powerful fact.

God knows how to help (Exodus 4:10-12)

Moses was skeptical about his new assignment. He told God he had never been eloquent (v. 10). God asked Moses: “Who gave man his mouth? Is it not I, the Lord? … Now, go. I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (vv. 11-12).

Often, Christians are in overwhelming situations and wonder if God truly knows best. They ponder the possible solutions to their plight and secretly wonder if God knows how to help.

Later, God reminded his people through the prophet Isaiah his ways were not their ways. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways than your ways" (Isaiah 55:9). When faced with seemingly impossible situations, remember God’s ways are not your ways. He knows exactly how to help, although it may not be what you had in mind.

God can be believed (Exodus 4:27-31)

God sent Moses’ brother, Aaron, to reassure the new leader. Moses told his brother all God had told him to do (v. 28). So, the brothers brought all of the people together and told them what God had said (v. 29). Also, Aaron performed the signs God gave him before the people and they believed. When they realized God could be believed, they bowed down and worshipped him (vv. 30-31).

God is trustworthy and can be believed. One theologian estimated there are more than 2,000 promises in the Bible. When God makes a promise to us, we can know for certain he will accomplish whatever he says.

We all know people whose word is not trustworthy. If they make a promise, we listen to it cautiously. However, God is completely trustworthy. His word is backed by his character. Whatever your situation, you can know with certainty that God can be believed. You can trust both his purpose and his power.

Discussion questions

• Describe a situation in which God took the initiative to help.

• Why do you think many Christians doubt God’s power?

• Describe a time when you simply took God at his word.