Sometimes It Gets Worse

By Mark Altrogge

“Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery” (EX 6.9).

God had promised Israel deliverance from the crushing weight of Pharaoh’s cruel fist and their hopes had soared.  Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh, demanding Israel’s release.  But instead of letting them go, he turns the screws even tighter, intensifying Israel’s cruel slavery.

God again promises to deliver them, but this time Israel doesn’t listen because Pharaoh’s brutality had broken their spirits.

The Scripture above teaches us that sometimes it gets worse before it gets better.  But that doesn’t mean God has abandoned us.  It means he’s setting the stage to gain even more glory and give us even greater joy than if he answered our prayers right away.

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