When God Hides His Help

“The Israelite foremen saw that they were in trouble when they were told, “You cannot reduce your daily quota of bricks.” When they left Pharaoh, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who stood waiting to meet them.” – Exodus 5:19-20

Have you ever prayed for help and things got worse? If so, then you can appreciate the situation of these Israelite foremen. They had cried out to God because of their oppressors (Exodus 3:7), yet when help arrives, the situation goes from bad to unsustainable! There are no darker days than the ones when help seems to have failed. Moses gives voice to the confusion and doubt. “Lord, why have You caused trouble for this people?…You haven’t rescued Your people at all” (Exodus 5:22-23).
 
But sometimes the Lord hides His help in order to reveal His hand. “But the Lord replied to Moses, ‘Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: because of a strong hand he will let them go…’” (Exodus 6:1). It was through the difficulty that the people would come to experience the power of God.
 
Have you prayed for help and things got worse? Don’t stop praying. Don’t start complaining. Instead, look for how the Lord is revealing Himself in new and more powerful ways. You can trust Him.