Mission Venture Ministries

“One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?” The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must have become known…” (Exodus 2:11-25) 

Whenever trials arise, there are two ways to respond, God’s way or our way. In today’s passage, we see what happened when Moses took matters into his own hands. Although his motives were to relief his peoples’ suffering, his method was wrong. Why? Because: 

• Moses focused on what was happening instead of on the Lord. How often have we done the very same thing? When the unfairness of a situation grabs our attention, we can lose sight of what we should do and forget to pray and leave it in God’s hands. 

• He relied on his own strength and understanding. When a problem confronts us, the most natural response is to do whatever we can to make it right. Our way may seem so logical at the time, but it won’t accomplish God’s purposes. 

• He acted unwisely instead of waiting on the Lord. If a situation seems urgent, fixing the problem as fast as possible easily becomes our top priority and then comes the regret of our impulsiveness. 

At some point, we have all acted similarly and suffered the consequences of self-reliance. But God didn’t reject Moses or cancel His plans for him. Instead, the Lord refined his character through trials and gave him another chance. Don’t you think our loving Father will do the same for us? 

In tough situations, we’re often tempted to rely on our own logic and strength, instead or relying on our heavenly Father; forgetting that God’s way is always best. 

When we experience a trial, we need to choose, by faith, to put our trust in God. This choice will help us to be more objective and consequently more alert to the reasons why God may have allowed the trial to occur. As we deal with the difficulties, remember the following truths: 

• Gaining intimate knowledge of Christ exceeds the value of gaining anything else (Philippians 3:8).
• Developing a strong character is more important than doing things in our way (Hebrews 5:8).
• Demonstrating self-control is more commendable than dominating others (Proverbs 25:28).
• Eternal treasures are more valuable than earthly riches (Matthew 19:21). 

As God faithfully pours out His grace upon us in the midst of each fiery trial, we can endure hardships and overcome the enemy in God’s strength (2 Chronicles 20:15). 

Scripture reveals that there are great rewards for responding to trials with grace; here are just a few of them: 

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:1-5). 

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13). 

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). 

“Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself” (2 Timothy 2:11-13). 

God has assured us that He will not permit us to be attacked with trials or temptations that are too overwhelming for us to handle. He will grant us grace to be overcomers. In 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, the Apostle Paul exhorts us with these words: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 

God promises to give a blessing to those who reward evil with good. Although we cannot fully predict or describe that blessing, we know that it will include the power of genuine love. “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9). 

If anyone reacts to a person who offends them and become bitter toward him, they actually put themselves in an emotional prison. Bitterness will control our life, our emotions and our health. In order to be freed from this prison, we must forgive and let God handle the final judgment. 

Scripture provides many examples of those who forgave their offenders, including Job (Job 42:10), Jesus (Luke 23:34) and Stephen (Acts 7:59-60). 

So what do we do when trials arise, we ask God for wisdom and discernment and place the burden into His hands remembering what James 1:5 says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” 

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