Category Archives: Suffering / Adversity

Discipline / Guidance From God, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin

A Hardened Heart in the Face of Truth (Revelation 9:13-21)

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What would it take for someone to truly turn to God?

Key Verse:
“The rest of mankind… did not repent of the works of their hands…” —Revelation 9:20 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 9:1–12, the fifth trumpet brings intense torment upon those without God’s seal, showing a shift from environmental judgment to direct human suffering.

Now in Revelation 9:13–21, the sixth trumpet sounds, bringing even greater devastation. Yet the most striking part of this passage is not just the judgment—but the response of the people.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 9:13-21

The Sixth Trumpet—Army from the East

      13Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. 16The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone. 18A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths. 19For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.

      20The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.

Reflection on Revelation 9:13–21:
When the sixth trumpet sounds, a voice comes from the altar before God, and four angels are released—angels who have been prepared for this exact moment.

This reminds us again:

Nothing is random.
Nothing is out of control.

Even the timing of judgment is precise and purposeful.

These angels are released to lead an army of unimaginable size—two hundred million. The imagery that follows is overwhelming: fire, smoke, and brimstone proceed from them, bringing destruction to a third of mankind.

This is an escalation beyond anything we have seen so far.

The scale is massive.
The impact is undeniable.

Yet the most sobering part of this passage is not the judgment itself—it is the response.

“The rest of mankind… did not repent.”

Despite everything:

  • the warnings
  • the suffering
  • the clear demonstration of God’s power

People still refuse to turn to Him.

Instead, they continue in the same patterns:

  • idolatry
  • worship of false things
  • immoral living
  • violence
  • deception

This reveals something deeply important.

The problem is not lack of evidence.

The problem is the heart.

Just as we saw with Pharaoh in Exodus, people can witness powerful demonstrations of God and still refuse to submit. Hardness of heart is not broken by intensity of circumstances alone.

This passage challenges a common belief:

“If things got bad enough, people would turn to God.”

But Scripture shows that this is not necessarily true.

Without a willing heart, even the clearest warnings can be ignored.

This is why repentance is not just about reacting to circumstances—it is about a change of heart and direction.

God has been:

  • revealing Himself
  • giving warnings
  • showing restraint
  • providing opportunities to respond

Yet many continue to choose their own way.

This is both sobering and instructive.

It reminds us that we should not wait for circumstances to force change. The longer a heart resists, the more fixed it can become.

For us, this passage is a call to examine our own response.

Are we responding to God now?

Or are we delaying, assuming there will always be another opportunity?

God’s patience is real—but it is not endless.

He calls us to respond while there is still time.

Application:

  • Do not wait for circumstances to force you to turn to God.
  • Recognize that hardness of heart can persist even in severe situations.
  • Examine areas where you may be resisting God’s truth.
  • Turn from anything that draws you away from Him.
  • Respond to God’s call with humility and repentance now.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to have a soft and responsive heart toward You. Keep me from resisting Your truth or delaying my response. Reveal anything in my life that needs to change, and give me the strength to turn fully to You. Thank You for Your patience and Your mercy. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Obeying God, Repenting from Sin, Submitted / Servant, Tribulation

Empty Words of Surrender (Exodus 9:22-35)

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Have you ever said the right things to God in a difficult moment—only to return to old ways when the pressure lifted?

Key Verse:
“But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.” —Exodus 9:34 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 9:8–21, God sends boils upon Egypt and then warns of a coming hailstorm. Some of Pharaoh’s servants respond to God’s warning and act, while others ignore it. Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened as God continues to reveal His power and authority.

Now in Exodus 9:22–35, the hail falls just as God said, bringing destruction across Egypt—while again sparing His people. Pharaoh appears to respond, but his actions reveal something deeper about the nature of true repentance.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 9:22-35

      22Now the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt, on man and on beast and on every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” 23Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. 24So there was hail, and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very severe, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25The hail struck all that was in the field through all the land of Egypt, both man and beast; the hail also struck every plant of the field and shattered every tree of the field. 26Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, there was no hail.

      27Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time; the LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones. 28“Make supplication to the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail; and I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.” 29Moses said to him, “As soon as I go out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease and there will be hail no longer, that you may know that the earth is the LORD’S. 30“But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God.” 31(Now the flax and the barley were ruined, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud. 32But the wheat and the spelt were not ruined, for they ripen late.) 33So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread out his hands to the LORD; and the thunder and the hail ceased, and rain no longer poured on the earth. 34But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not let the sons of Israel go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.

Reflection on Exodus 9:22–35:
God instructs Moses to stretch out his hand toward the sky, and a devastating storm of hail, thunder, and fire comes upon Egypt. It is unlike anything the land has ever experienced.

The destruction is widespread.

People, animals, and crops left in the field are struck down. Trees are shattered. The land is broken under the weight of what God has brought.

Yet once again, there is a clear distinction.

In the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live, there is no hail.

God is continuing to demonstrate both His judgment and His protection. He is not only showing His power—He is making it unmistakably clear who belongs to Him.

In the midst of this, Pharaoh responds.

For the first time, he openly admits wrongdoing:

“I have sinned this time; the LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones.”

These are strong words.

Pharaoh acknowledges God’s righteousness and his own sin. He asks Moses to entreat the LORD to stop the storm, promising to let the people go.

On the surface, this appears to be genuine repentance.

But Moses already understands what is happening.

“I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God.”

Moses recognizes that Pharaoh’s words do not reflect a changed heart. Pharaoh wants relief from the consequences, but he is not ready to submit to God.

Moses prays, and the storm stops.

The thunder ceases.
The hail ends.
The pressure is removed.

And then Pharaoh responds again.

He hardens his heart.

This reveals a critical truth.

Saying the right words is not the same as true repentance.

Pharaoh confessed sin—but did not turn from it.
He acknowledged God—but did not submit to Him.
He sought relief—but not transformation.

This pattern has been building throughout the plagues, and here it becomes very clear.

Temporary pressure can produce temporary confession.
But only a changed heart produces lasting obedience.

We also continue to see the role of God in this process. Pharaoh had repeatedly hardened his own heart earlier in the account. Now, as Scripture tells us, the LORD hardens his heart—confirming him in the path he has already chosen and allowing that resistance to continue.

This is not God forcing rebellion, but God sustaining Pharaoh’s chosen direction so that His power would be fully revealed.

God is demonstrating His authority over creation, over nations, and over kings.

But Pharaoh still refuses to yield.

This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts.

Do we turn to God only when circumstances become difficult?

Do we say the right things in moments of pressure, but return to old patterns when life becomes easier?

True repentance is more than words.

It is a change of heart that leads to a change of life.

God is not looking for temporary responses—He is calling for lasting surrender.

Application:

  • Examine whether your response to God is genuine or driven by circumstances.
  • Do not confuse confession with true repentance.
  • Seek transformation of heart, not just relief from difficulty.
  • Be aware that temporary pressure can produce temporary change.
  • Commit to lasting obedience, even after the pressure is removed.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to come before You with a sincere and humble heart. Keep me from offering empty words or temporary responses. Change me from within so that my life reflects true repentance and obedience. Help me to follow You not only in difficult moments, but in every season. Thank You for Your patience and Your truth. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Depression / Discouragement, Faith / Trusting God, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Patient, Purposeful / Intentional, Strong in Our Weakness, Tribulation

When God Makes You Stand (Exodus 7:1-13)

What do you do when God calls you to stand firm—but the world refuses to listen?

Key Verse:
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.’” —Exodus 7:1 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 3–6, God calls Moses, overcomes his objections, and establishes him and Aaron as His chosen servants. Despite their obedience, Pharaoh has already responded with resistance, and the burden on Israel has increased.

Now in Exodus 7:1–13, God begins a new phase. The confrontation between God and Pharaoh becomes direct and unmistakable. This is no longer preparation—this is the beginning of God demonstrating His authority over Egypt and its king.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 7:1-13

“I Will Stretch Out My Hand”

      1Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2“You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall speak to Pharaoh that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land. 3“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. 4“When Pharaoh does not listen to you, then I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My hosts, My people the sons of Israel, from the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5“The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst.” 6So Moses and Aaron did it; as the LORD commanded them, thus they did. 7Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three, when they spoke to Pharaoh.

Aaron’s Rod Becomes a Serpent

      8Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 9“When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” 10So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh, and thus they did just as the LORD had commanded; and Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts. 12For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had said.

Reflection on Exodus 7:1–13:
God begins by redefining Moses’ role. Moses is told he will be “as God” to Pharaoh, with Aaron serving as his prophet. This does not mean Moses is divine, but that he is acting as God’s representative—speaking with His authority.

This is a significant shift.

Moses had been focused on his weakness—his speech, his confidence, his ability. But God redirects the focus entirely. This is not about Moses’ ability. It is about God’s authority working through him.

God then makes something very clear: Pharaoh will not listen.

“I will harden Pharaoh’s heart…”

This is important for understanding obedience. God is not calling Moses to succeed by human standards. He is calling Moses to obey, even when the immediate result is resistance.

This aligns with the pattern we have already seen:

  • God calls
  • Obedience follows
  • Resistance increases

But none of this means God’s plan is failing.

In fact, God reveals that through Pharaoh’s resistance, He will multiply His signs and wonders. What appears to be opposition is actually part of God displaying His power more fully.

Moses and Aaron obey. They do exactly as the LORD commanded.

This simple statement carries great weight. After all the hesitation, doubt, and questions, they now step forward in obedience—not because they feel ready, but because they trust God.

Then comes the first sign before Pharaoh.

Aaron throws down his staff, and it becomes a serpent. This is a direct demonstration of God’s power. However, Pharaoh’s magicians replicate the sign through their secret arts.

This introduces an important tension.

At times, what God does may appear to be imitated or countered by the world. Not everything that looks powerful or supernatural is from God.

But the outcome makes the difference clear.

Aaron’s staff swallows the staffs of the magicians.

God’s power is not equal to the world’s power—it is greater.

Even so, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened. He refuses to listen, just as God said he would.

This passage teaches us several important truths.

First, obedience is not dependent on immediate results. We are called to speak and act as God directs, even when others resist.

Second, opposition does not mean failure. God often works through resistance to accomplish His greater purposes.

Third, God’s authority is unmatched. What the world imitates, God surpasses.

Finally, we are reminded that being used by God is not about our qualifications, but about our willingness to obey.

Moses once doubted he could even speak. Now he stands before the most powerful ruler in the world as God’s appointed messenger.

The same principle applies to us. When God calls us to speak truth, stand firm, or act in obedience, He is not asking us to rely on our strength—but on His.

Application:

  • Obey God even when you expect resistance.
  • Do not measure success by immediate results.
  • Trust that God’s authority is greater than any opposition.
  • Be discerning—test what you see against God’s truth.
  • Step forward in faith, knowing God equips those He sends.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for calling me to walk in obedience, even when it is difficult. Help me not to be discouraged by resistance, but to trust in Your greater plan. Give me boldness to speak truth and confidence in Your authority. Remind me that it is not my strength, but Yours, that accomplishes Your purposes. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Protector / Deliverer, Revelation, Salvation, Strong in Our Weakness, Tribulation

Who Can Stand God’s Judgment? (Revelation 7)

When the world feels unstable, do you know where your security truly comes from?

Key Verse:
“For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.” —Revelation 7:15 NASB

Background Context:
In Revelation 6, the opening of the seals reveals judgment unfolding on the earth. It raises a sobering question: who can stand in the day of God’s wrath?

Revelation 7 answers that question by shifting the focus away from judgment and onto God’s people. Before further judgment unfolds, God pauses to reveal two important realities: He seals His servants, and He preserves a great multitude who will stand before Him in victory.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 7

An Interlude

      1After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. 2And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”

The 144,000

      4And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

5from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, 6from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, 7from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, 8from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.


A Multitude from the Tribulation

      9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,
“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying,
“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

      13Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15“For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16“They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Reflection on Revelation 7:
Revelation 7 begins with a moment of restraint. The winds of judgment are held back until the servants of God are sealed on their foreheads. This sealing represents God’s ownership, protection, and authority over His people.

It is a powerful reminder: before judgment proceeds, God secures those who belong to Him.

The 144,000 from the tribes of Israel are specifically identified and sealed. This shows that God has not forgotten His covenant people. His promises remain intact, even in the midst of global upheaval.

Then the scene shifts dramatically.

John sees a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They are clothed in white robes and holding palm branches, crying out in worship and salvation.

This reveals the global scope of God’s redemption. Salvation is not limited—it extends to all who come to Him in faith.

These believers have come out of the great tribulation. They have endured suffering, remained faithful, and now stand victorious—not because of their own strength, but because they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

Their victory is rooted in Yeshua.

The imagery here echoes the themes of deliverance seen throughout Scripture. Just as God delivered His people from Egypt and brought them into His presence, He now brings His people through tribulation into eternal worship.

God spreads His tabernacle over them—His presence becomes their covering. They will hunger no more, thirst no more, nor will the sun beat down on them.

The Lamb becomes their Shepherd.

This is a beautiful reversal: the One who was sacrificed now leads, protects, and provides for His people. He guides them to springs of living water, and God wipes away every tear from their eyes.

Revelation 7 answers the question from chapter 6—who can stand?

Those who belong to God.
Those who are sealed by Him.
Those who remain faithful through hardship.

Their security is not in the absence of trouble, but in the presence and promise of God.

Application:

  • Anchor your security in God, not in circumstances.
  • Remember that God knows and seals those who belong to Him.
  • Remain faithful even in hardship, trusting in God’s ultimate victory.
  • Rejoice in the global scope of salvation—God is drawing people from every nation.
  • Fix your hope on the future promise of God’s presence and restoration.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for securing those who belong to You. Help me to trust in Your protection and remain faithful no matter what I face. Strengthen my hope in Your promises and remind me that my future is secure in You. Lead me as my Shepherd and help me to walk in obedience and faith. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Depression / Discouragement, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant

What Happens After You Say Yes to God (Exodus 4-6)

Have you ever wondered why following God sometimes feels harder after you begin to obey?

Key Verse:
“I will bring you out… I will deliver you… I will redeem you… I will take you for My people…” —Exodus 6:6–7 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 4–6, we see a powerful sequence unfold in the life of Moses and the people of Israel. God calls Moses, overcomes his objections, and sends him to deliver His people. What follows is not immediate success, but a series of challenges that reveal how God works through His people.

This section of Exodus provides more than historical events—it gives us a pattern for understanding our own walk with God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 4–6

Reflection on Exodus 4–6:
When God calls Moses, his first response is hesitation. He questions his ability, his worthiness, and even asks God to send someone else. This is where many of us begin. When God calls us, we often focus on our limitations rather than His power.

Yet God does not withdraw the calling. He patiently answers Moses’ objections and reminds him that His presence will be enough.

Eventually, Moses chooses to obey.

This step is critical. Obedience does not require perfect confidence—it requires willingness.

But what happens next is often unexpected.

Instead of things improving, they become more difficult. Pharaoh rejects God’s command, and the burden on the Israelites increases. What seemed like the beginning of deliverance now feels like the beginning of greater suffering.

This is where many people become discouraged.

We expect obedience to lead to immediate results. When it does not, we begin to question whether we heard God correctly, or whether we made a mistake.

The people turn against Moses. Moses himself questions God.

Yet in this moment, God responds—not by immediately changing the situation, but by reaffirming His promise.

“I am the LORD.”

God reminds Moses of who He is and what He has already said He will do. His promises have not changed, even though circumstances have.

This reveals a pattern we must understand:

God calls → we struggle → we obey → resistance comes → discouragement follows → God reassures.

This is not failure.

This is the process of learning to trust God.

Obedience is not a straight path of immediate success. It is a journey that stretches our faith, challenges our expectations, and teaches us to rely not on outcomes, but on God Himself.

Many people stop in the middle of this process. They obey, encounter resistance, and assume something has gone wrong.

But Scripture shows us the opposite.

Resistance does not mean you are outside of God’s will.
Discouragement does not mean God has abandoned you.

Often, these are the very places where God is preparing to demonstrate His power.

The question is not whether we will face these moments—but whether we will continue to trust Him through them.

God’s promises remain true, even when we cannot yet see how they will be fulfilled.

Application:

  • Recognize this pattern in your own walk with God.
  • Do not be discouraged when obedience leads to difficulty.
  • Continue trusting God even when results are delayed.
  • Return to God’s promises when your circumstances feel overwhelming.
  • Choose to remain faithful through every stage of the process.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for showing me that the journey of obedience is not always easy, but that You are present in every step of it. Help me to trust You when I face resistance or discouragement. Remind me that Your promises do not change, even when my circumstances do. Strengthen my faith to continue walking with You, trusting in Your plan and Your timing. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Depression / Discouragement, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Faith / Trusting God, Obeying God, Protector / Deliverer, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant

Hope in the Middle of Discouragement (Exodus 6:1-13)

Have you ever been so discouraged that you struggled to hear what God was saying?

Key Verse:
“Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out… I will redeem you… I will take you for My people…’” —Exodus 6:6–7 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 5, Moses obeys God and confronts Pharaoh—but instead of improvement, the situation worsens. The Israelites’ burden increases, and both the people and Moses become discouraged.

Now in Exodus 6, God responds—not by changing the situation immediately, but by reaffirming His promise and reminding Moses of who He is.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 6:1-13

God Promises Action

      1Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.”

      2God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD; 3and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them. 4“I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they sojourned. 5“Furthermore I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6“Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7‘Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8‘I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the LORD.’” 9So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage.

      10Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 11“Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the sons of Israel go out of his land.” 12But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?” 13Then the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a charge to the sons of Israel and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

Reflection on Exodus 6:1–13:
God begins with a powerful statement: “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh.”

This is a turning point. God is not reacting—He is declaring that His plan is about to unfold.

But instead of immediately delivering Israel, God does something deeper. He reminds Moses of His identity.

“I am the LORD.”

This phrase is repeated throughout the passage. God is grounding Moses not in circumstances, but in His character.

He then reminds Moses of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is not a new plan. God is continuing what He already promised long ago.

Then come a series of powerful declarations—what are often called the “I will” statements:

  • I will bring you out
  • I will deliver you
  • I will redeem you
  • I will take you as My people
  • I will be your God
  • I will bring you into the land

These are not possibilities—they are promises.

Yet when Moses shares this with the people, something surprising happens:

They do not listen.

Scripture says it is because of their discouragement and harsh labor.

This is deeply relatable. When life becomes overwhelming, even truth can be hard to receive. God is speaking hope, but the people are too burdened to hear it.

This shows us that discouragement can affect not only how we feel—but what we are able to receive spiritually.

God does not rebuke them for this. Instead, He continues His plan.

He then tells Moses again to go speak to Pharaoh.

Moses responds with doubt: “If the sons of Israel will not listen to me, how then will Pharaoh listen?”

This brings us back to an earlier theme—Moses still feels inadequate.

Yet God does not withdraw the calling.

This passage reminds us of something critical:

God’s promises are not dependent on our feelings.
God’s plan is not stopped by our discouragement.

Even when people cannot hear Him clearly… God is still working.

Application:

  • Hold on to God’s promises, even when circumstances feel worse.
  • Remember that God’s character does not change based on your situation.
  • Be aware that discouragement can make it harder to hear truth.
  • Return to God’s Word when your feelings are overwhelmed.
  • Trust that God is working, even when you cannot yet see it.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust in Your promises even when I feel discouraged. When I struggle to hear You clearly, remind me of who You are and what You have said. Strengthen my faith to believe Your truth over my circumstances, and help me to continue walking forward in obedience. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Depression / Discouragement, Faith / Trusting God, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Tribulation

Faith in the Face of Resistance (Exodus 5:1-9)

Have you ever obeyed God—only to have things get worse instead of better?

Key Verse:
“But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.’” —Exodus 5:2 NASB

Background Context:
In Exodus 3–4, God calls Moses, overcomes his objections, and brings him to a place of obedience. Moses moves from reluctance to action, stepping forward in faith to do what God commanded.

This begins a clear spiritual progression: God calls, we wrestle with doubt, we choose obedience—and then we encounter resistance. Exodus 5 marks the moment where obedience meets real opposition.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 5

Israel’s Labor Increased

      1And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” 2But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.” 3Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, otherwise He will fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” 4But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work? Get back to your labors!” 5Again Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now many, and you would have them cease from their labors!” 6So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters over the people and their foremen, saying, 7“You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8“But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ 9“Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”

Reflection on Exodus 5:1–9:
Moses and Aaron finally stand before Pharaoh and deliver God’s command: “Let My people go.” This is a bold act of obedience. Moses is no longer making excuses—he is doing exactly what God told him to do.

But instead of immediate success, they are met with rejection.

Pharaoh responds, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice?” This is not just defiance against Moses—it is defiance against God Himself. Pharaoh does not acknowledge God’s authority and refuses to submit.

This moment is important. Obedience to God does not guarantee immediate results. In fact, it often exposes resistance that was already there.

Pharaoh then makes the situation worse. He increases the burden on the Israelites by requiring them to gather their own straw while maintaining the same workload. What had already been difficult now becomes even more oppressive.

From a human perspective, this would seem like failure. Moses obeyed, and conditions worsened.

This is where many people struggle in their walk with God.

We trust Him, but we also expect to see results quickly. When those results do not come—or when things become more difficult—it is easy to become discouraged.

Yet God has already warned us that His ways are not our ways.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8–9

God not only works differently in how He accomplishes His plans, but also in when He fulfills them. We tend to look for quick results, but God works according to His perfect timing.

Scripture reminds us:

“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD.” —Lamentations 3:25–26

“Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” —Isaiah 40:31

Even Moses would soon become discouraged when things did not improve immediately. But this was not outside of God’s plan. In fact, God had already told him this would happen:

“But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go.” —Exodus 3:19–20

This means that the resistance Moses encountered was not failure—it was confirmation that God’s plan was unfolding exactly as He said.

This reveals an important truth:

God’s delays are not His absence.
God’s resistance is not His rejection.

This fits the pattern we see developing:

God calls → we struggle → we obey → resistance comes.

Exodus 5 reminds us that opposition is not a sign that we are outside of God’s will. It is often the place where God is preparing to demonstrate His power.

The question is not whether we will face resistance—but whether we will remain faithful when we do.

Application:

  • Do not assume that difficulty means you are outside of God’s will.
  • Be patient and trust in God’s timing rather than expecting immediate results.
  • Stay faithful to what God has called you to do, even when things get harder.
  • Remember that God is working even when you cannot yet see the outcome.
  • Strengthen your faith to continue in obedience despite opposition.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to remain faithful when obedience becomes difficult. Teach me to trust in Your timing and not my own expectations. When I face resistance or discouragement, remind me that You are still working and that Your plans are unfolding perfectly. Give me the strength to wait on You and continue walking in obedience. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Depression / Discouragement, Faith / Trusting God, Grace / Patience, Help / Serve Others, Humility, Seeking God, Teachable, Tribulation, Wise, Worry/Anxiety

Learning Through Failure (Exodus 2:11-25)

Have you ever taken a step you thought was right—only to see it end in failure and hardship?

Key Verse:
“When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian…” —Exodus 2:15 NASB

Background Context:
After the remarkable rescue of Moses as an infant, the story jumps forward many years in Exodus. Moses has grown up in Pharaoh’s household, educated and raised with privilege. Yet he knows he is Hebrew and sees the harsh oppression his people endure.

One day Moses witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave and intervenes. What follows changes the course of his life and begins a long season of preparation far from Egypt.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 2:11-25

  11Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13He went out the next day, and behold, two Hebrews were fighting with each other; and he said to the offender, “Why are you striking your companion?” 14But he said, “Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Surely the matter has become known.”

Moses Escapes to Midian

      15When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.

      16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came to draw water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17Then the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock. 18When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “Why have you come back so soon today?” 19So they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew the water for us and watered the flock.” 20He said to his daughters, “Where is he then? Why is it that you have left the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.” 21Moses was willing to dwell with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses. 22Then she gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

23Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. 24So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.

Reflection on Exodus 2:11–25:
Moses likely believed he was ready to help deliver his people. Seeing injustice, he stepped in and killed the Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. Though Moses intended to defend the oppressed, his action was driven by anger and done outside of God’s timing.

When the event became known, Pharaoh sought to kill him, and Moses fled into the wilderness of Midian.

At first glance this may appear to be the end of Moses’ calling. The man raised in a palace now becomes a fugitive shepherd in a foreign land. Yet something important about Moses’ character becomes clear during this time.

Failure did not cause Moses to abandon his desire to help others.

When he arrives in Midian, Moses again encounters injustice. Shepherds attempt to drive away the daughters of Reuel as they come to water their flocks. This time Moses intervenes wisely, protecting them and helping water the animals. His willingness to help others opens the door for him to remain in Midian, eventually marrying Zipporah and beginning a family.

We are all capable of making mistakes when we attempt to act in faith or confront wrongdoing. The greater mistake is allowing those failures to discourage us from continuing to serve God. Moses learned from his experience and continued to stand up for what was right.

During these years in Midian, Moses’ life changed dramatically. The man raised in power now lived quietly as a shepherd. What may have felt like exile was actually preparation. God was shaping humility, patience, and dependence in the one who would one day lead a nation.

Meanwhile, Israel remained in Egypt under heavy oppression. The people groaned under their suffering and cried out to God. Scripture tells us that God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This does not mean God had forgotten His promise. Rather, it emphasizes that the cries of His people matter to Him. He sees their suffering and responds according to His perfect timing.

Often in our own lives we may feel that God is distant when we face hardship. We may look to human solutions first and feel discouraged when they fail. Yet Scripture reminds us that God desires His people to cry out to Him. He hears the prayers of those who seek Him and trust in His ways.

While Israel cried out in Egypt and Moses lived quietly in Midian, God was preparing both the deliverer and the moment of deliverance.

What seemed like delay was actually divine preparation.

Application:

  • Do not allow past mistakes to stop you from continuing to serve God.

  • Learn from failure and grow in wisdom and humility.

  • Continue helping others and standing against injustice.

  • Cry out to God in seasons of hardship rather than relying only on human solutions.

  • Trust that God may be preparing you during seasons that feel quiet or difficult.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You even when my plans fall apart. Teach me to learn from my mistakes rather than be discouraged by them. Strengthen my desire to stand for what is right and to help others in need. When I face hardship, remind me to cry out to You and rely on Your wisdom and timing. Prepare my heart to serve You faithfully wherever You place me. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Hope, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Strong in Our Weakness, Tribulation, Worry/Anxiety

God Protects What He Has Purposed (Exodus 2:1–10)

When God begins preparing something great, it often starts quietly where few people notice.

Key Verse:
“When she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.” —Exodus 2:3 NASB

Background Context:
Exodus opens with Israel under severe oppression. Pharaoh has ordered that every Hebrew baby boy be thrown into the Nile in an attempt to crush the growing nation.

In the midst of this brutal command, a child is born to a Levite family. His mother hides him as long as she can. When hiding him is no longer possible, she places him in a basket among the reeds of the Nile — entrusting his life to God.

What appears to be a desperate act becomes the beginning of God’s plan to raise up the future deliverer of Israel.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 1:22-2:1-10

 22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.”

The Birth of Moses

      1Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi. 2The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months. 3But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch. Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. 4His sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

      5The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile, with her maidens walking alongside the Nile; and she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid, and she brought it to her. 6When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?” 8Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. And she named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Reflection on Exodus 2:1–10:
God’s greatest works often begin in the most fragile moments.

A helpless infant floating in a basket does not look like the beginning of national deliverance. Yet in this small and vulnerable scene, God is already moving.

The faith of Moses’ mother stands out immediately. She refuses to surrender her child to Pharaoh’s command. Instead, she acts courageously and entrusts her son to God’s care. Hebrews later tells us she acted by faith.

The basket itself is striking. The Hebrew word used here is the same word used for Noah’s ark — a vessel of rescue through water. Just as God preserved life during the flood, He now preserves the life of the one who will later lead His people through the waters of the Red Sea.

Then comes one of the most remarkable ironies in Scripture: Pharaoh’s own daughter finds the child. The ruler who ordered Hebrew boys to die unknowingly funds the upbringing of the very man who will one day challenge his throne.

Even more beautifully, Moses’ own mother is hired to nurse him. God not only protects the child — He restores him to his family during his earliest years.

This moment reminds us of something deeply encouraging: God’s purposes cannot be stopped by human power. Pharaoh believed he was controlling the future, yet God was quietly raising up the very person who would undo Pharaoh’s plans.

Often, God’s preparation happens long before we see the outcome. The deliverer of Israel begins life hidden among reeds.

The same is often true in our lives. Seasons that seem small, uncertain, or hidden may be the very places where God is shaping something significant. We may not see His plan yet, but that does not mean He is absent.

God is always at work — even in the quiet beginnings.

Application:

  • Trust God with what feels fragile or uncertain in your life.

  • Act in faith even when outcomes are unclear.

  • Remember that God’s plans cannot be stopped by human authority.

  • Do not underestimate seasons of hidden preparation.

  • Look for God’s hand even in ordinary circumstances.

Closing Prayer:
Father, help me trust You in seasons when Your work seems hidden. Give me courage to act in faith even when the future is uncertain. Remind me that Your purposes cannot be stopped by human power and that You are always at work, even in quiet beginnings. Prepare my heart to be used for Your purposes. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Depression / Discouragement, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness, Tribulation, Worry/Anxiety

God Is Our Refuge (Psalm 46)

When the world feels unstable, where do you run?

Key Verse:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 46 is attributed to the sons of Korah and is often associated with times of national crisis. The imagery is dramatic—mountains shaking, waters roaring, nations raging. Yet in the midst of turmoil, the psalm proclaims unwavering confidence in God’s presence and protection.

This psalm shifts from chaos to calm, from fear to trust, and from turmoil to worship.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 46

God the Refuge of His People.

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.

1God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

      2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

      3Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Selah.

      4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

      5God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.

      6The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.

      7The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Selah.

      8Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

      9He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.

      10“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

      11The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Reflection on Psalm 46:
The psalm begins with a bold declaration: God is our refuge and strength. Not was. Not might be. Is. He is described as a very present help—immediate, accessible, near.

The imagery intensifies quickly. Mountains fall into the sea. Waters roar and foam. Nations rage. Kingdoms totter. Everything that appears stable begins to collapse. Yet the people of God declare, “We will not fear.”

The reason is not denial of danger—it is confidence in presence. “The Lord of hosts is with us.” This refrain anchors the psalm. God is not distant from the shaking world; He stands in the midst of His people.

In contrast to roaring waters and raging nations, we are commanded: “Be still, and know that I am God.” This is not merely a call to quietness—it is a call to cease striving, to release anxious control, and to recognize His sovereign authority over history.

Psalm 46 reminds us that security is not found in stable circumstances but in a steadfast God. When the earth shakes, He does not.

Application:

  • Run to God first when circumstances feel unstable.

  • Refuse fear by anchoring yourself in His presence.

  • Remember that God’s power is greater than global chaos.

  • Practice stillness as an act of trust, not passivity.

  • Declare truth aloud when anxiety rises.

Closing Prayer:
Father, You are my refuge and strength. When life feels uncertain and the world seems unstable, help me trust in Your steady presence. Teach me to be still, to release fear, and to rest in Your sovereignty. Anchor my heart in the truth that You are with me. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.