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HOLDING ON TO OUR FAITH

March 23, 2025

Exodus 3:1-15 | 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 | Luke 13:1-9 | Psalm 63:1-8

Exodus 3:1-15

We are living in difficult times now, similarly to how the Israelites were living in difficult times in Egypt under the oppressive rule of Pharoah.  Moses had an amazing experience while leading the flock of Jethro one day.  The Angel of God appeared to him as a burning bush, but the bush was not consumed. That had to have been confusing, but Moses knew he was in the presence of God.  He was told to remove his sandals, as he was standing on holy ground.  God identified himself to Moses as “the God of your Father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”  Moses hid his face from God in fear. 

It might help to remember some of what the Bible tells us about Moses.  He was a prophet, well respected, a fair leader, and recognized as being humble.  He is thought to have been the author of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, although perhaps this was a compilation from a few sources.  Moses also had a speech impediment, and his brother, Aaron, helped him with this as Moses led the Israelites.  And Moses was patient!  He led the Israelites for 40 years in the desert! 

God knew what a miserable situation the Israelites were in in Egypt, and he wanted to help them escape and be delivered to “a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”  He told Moses that He would send him into Egypt to Pharoah to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  Moses responded with why me?  Who am I? 

God promised him that he would be with him, providing him with signs to help him lead.  He also said that Moses should tell the Israelites that “I am who I am”, the God of their ancestors, sent Moses to lead them.  “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”  

        “This is my name forever,
         and this my title for all generations.”

This is a reminder to us that God is with us always.  He is with us now, as we are aware of the tribulations around us, He is aware of them, too.  He already has a plan, even though we don’t necessarily see it or understand it.  We must hold onto our faith, as did the Israelites.  Although there was and will be those who continue to question, there is hope!  God will provide for us as he did for the Israelites.

“These stories tell us to hold onto our faith and to have courage as we wait on deliverance.

We should celebrate as we wait, knowing that our deliverance will lead us to a greater place, role, or position.”

Paticia Cichy