The strong hand of the lord

Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. 2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: –Exodus 6:1-2

We read in Exodus the story of Moses and how God was to use him in the deliverance of the children of Israel. God had already promised to be his mouth, meaning Moses would only be responsible for proclaiming with faith the things that the Lord himself would reveal. Moses, in the beginning, had problems with his faith, but God, even in his anger, was patient with him as he learned to trust God over time. In Exodus 5:1, God speaks through Moses, saying, “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go.“

God spoke to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt and the man responsible for the enslavement of God’s people. The response was likely not what Moses expected, and still-growing faith would be tested early and rigorously. Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?” (Exodus 5:2). Notice that Pharaoh did not question if the words spoken by Moses were from God, and he refused to heed them, and further stated, “I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.“

Then, to make matters worse, Pharaoh decreed that straw would no longer be provided to the Israelites for making bricks, and they would be required to gather their own, thus increasing their daily labor. In addition, the daily quota of bricks would remain the same, and their taskmasters were instructed to ensure that production maintained its pace. It would seem that things would get very much worse before they got better.

Moses then began to cry, “Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? Why is it that thou hast sent me? Since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all” (Exodus 5:22-23). Moses felt tremendous pressure and responsibility because he had stepped out on the little faith he had to do the will of the Lord. The situation not only did not get better but became increasingly worse. But God immediately responded with a mighty word saying, “Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land” (Exodus 6:1).

Are you walking by faith right now, speaking life into your situation because God told you that he would make it all work out for your good? Even if things worsen, you should hold onto our subject verse with all your faith and might because God is able! Continue to walk by faith and allow His STRONG HAND to move in your life and fulfill his promise to you!