Tell your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt

Two things stood out to me in this morning's readings, the first,  in the title,  from Exodus 10:2.  The second “Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed” (Psalm 25:2, 3).  The context of the first is towards the end of the plagues of Egypt.  The Lord was telling Moses that one of the reasons He was doing these things,  was so that Israel would have something of the wonderful works of God, to tell their children and their children's children. It is God's nature to deliver His people, and since God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), then His testimonies are the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:20). In other words,  the testimony of what God has done, is an invitation to believe that He will do it again.

One of the commonalities between what caught my attention this morning,  is deliverance. The first is about delivery from slavery in Egypt, the second of  David from his enemies.   The deliverances are both in the future, and David's petition (let none  who wait on You be ashamed) is not only for all of us who are waiting for deliverance, but also for all who are waiting on God for the fulfillment of His promises.  God is faithful and, thinking again of His nature, we read “eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4). In this instant society,  where there it a pill for every ail, we are not very good at waiting. Our focus tends to be on the bottom line,  the goal at the end of the road.  But God is every bit as interested in the journey, as He is in the deliverance, or  in the fulfillment of His promise.

But what does it mean to wait on Him? Well for one thing, it's not passive. In His waiting David petitions the Lord to “Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation” (verses 4, 5). David sees the waiting as an opportunity to learn God's ways. We too need to see these things as an opportunity to learn and to draw near to God, and so claim His promise that He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Waiting is also about faith, we choose to trust that since He has delivered in the past, He will deliver,  and continue to deliver (2 Corinthians 1:10).  We will not experience deliverance if there is nothing from which we need to be delivered. And so in such times we need to learn to press in,  and to take advantage of all the Lord is wanting to show us and to do in us. Waiting in faith is progressive and experiential,  as we truly come to know in our innermost being,  that He is working all things together for our good.

Father, thank You this morning Lord,  for the many things You have done in my life. Thank You that You lifted me out a a desolate pit, and put a song of praise in my mouth. Lord may my testimony help many to see and fear and put their trust in You (Psalm 40:1-3). And Lord let none reading this blog ever come to shame,   as they wait on You in Jesus Name Amen