FAITH STRENGTHENED THEIR HEARTS

"Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16).

During the lifetime of Joseph, the children of Israel prospered in Egypt. "On account of the service that Joseph had rendered the Egyptian nation, they were not only granted a part of the country as a home, but were exempted from taxation, and liberally supplied with food during the continuance of the famine" (Patriarchs and Prophets, pg. 241).

But all prosperity ended when a new king came to power who "knew not Joseph." The Egyptians "set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens" (Exodus 1:11). But "the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew" (Exodus 1:12). And when Pharoah commanded the midwives to slay the Hebrews' baby boys, "the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the children alive" (Exodus 1:17).

So the king commanded the entire nation to kill their infant sons. But when Amram and Jochebed gave birth to a baby boy, they refused to let the king destroy him. At first, they hid their baby at home. But when he was too big, they knew they had to do something more. So they make a little boat from rushes and hid him among the flags of the river.

As I read the first 2 chapters of Exodus, repeatedly I saw God protecting His people from the oppression and persecution of evil men. Whenever Satan plotted their destruction, the Lord intervened for their deliverance. When in faith, God's people looked up, He was there. Faith in Him was their shield, quenching the darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16). "Faith in God strengthened their hearts" (Patriarchs and Prophets, pg. 243).

Later in the story, as Moses grew, it was also by faith that he turned his back on Egypt, "not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27). In spite of dire circumstances, Moses saw God--not physically or face to face--but with spiritual eyesight that saw Him through His covenant promises. As Abraham did before him, he "waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10).

Faith enables us to hold onto hope, knowing God is present, knowing He is trustworthy, and He is in control. What He says, He will do and His word cannot fail. One of His most precious promises says, "So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).

I cannot see what lies before me or all the ways God is working His purposes out. But I know He is. My faith waits for His timing because it sees Him who is invisible, upholding me and working out His perfect will.

"God is working His purposes out
as year succeeds to year:
God is working His purposes out
and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea."
(Arthur C. Ainger)