Retreat

Then the Israelite overseers went and appealed to Pharaoh: "Why have you treated your servants this way? Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, 'Make bricks!' Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people." (Exodus 5:15-16 NIV)

When we try to live out our walk together with God, it helps to have friends, family members, and a church family to encourage us in that walk.  Sometimes we encounter resistance or even retribution from one of these groups, but other times they support us.  That is a blessing.

Pharaoh said, "Lazy, that's what you are--lazy! That is why you keep saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks." The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." (Exodus 5:17-19 NIV)

When they encounter resistance or retribution, though, the picture may change.  They may like going to church services until they see that guy that they really don’t like.  Then it’s a whole different story.  They retreat.  When they leave, you’re stuck with a decision:  “Will I do what God is calling me to do even when my friend stops?”

When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, and they said, "May the LORD look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us." (Exodus 5:20-21 NIV)

The Israelite leaders turned on Moses.  When the going got tough, the leaders stopped going.  They were willing to walk together with God as long as it was easy.  When it got tough, though, they quit.  They turned on Moses.  They left him standing alone.

How about you?  Have you ever been left standing alone in your faith?  Have you had good friends or family members quit on you when things got tough?  In the other direction, have you ever quit on someone else?  When things get tough, to you retreat?