Resistance

Sometimes I think that we are naïve as we rush in to do the will of God.  It’s not that God doesn’t warn us about the difficulties we will face.  It’s just that we gloss over those parts.  “It’s God,” we think. “God will protect me from any harm.”  Even though God warns us about what is going to happen, we choose our own picture and God’s power over God’s truth and sovereignty.  In other words, we expect God to back our plans rather than listening to the details of God’s.  God told Moses exactly what would happen the day he confronted Pharaoh.

Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go." (Exodus 5:2 NIV)

I’m not sure what Moses thought at this point.  Maybe he thought that he was going to be able to change Pharaoh’s mind.  Maybe he thought Aaron could deliver a stirring speech that would change the course of history.  Maybe he thought God’s plans were more “suggestions” than anything else.  Whatever he thought, they tried to change Pharaoh’s mind.

Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword." (Exodus 5:3 NIV)

At this point, God had told Moses and Aaron what was going to happen.  Yet, they will find themselves surprised and even discouraged as it happens.  God is going to show Pharaoh that he really isn’t a god.  Pharaoh isn’t going to give up yet – not by a long shot.  So, Moses is going to encounter resistance.

But the king of Egypt said, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!" (Exodus 5:4 NIV)

How about you?  Do you ever follow through with God’s plan, only to encounter resistance?  Do you see that resistance as a part of God’s plan or something that gets in the way?  Is it possible that the person who is resisting is the very person God is trying to reach through your actions?  How do you respond when you experience resistance for walking together with God?