When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his officials were changed toward the people, and they said, “What have we done, letting Israel leave our service?” So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him; he took six hundred elite chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out boldly. The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his chariot drivers and his army; they overtook them camped by the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. ~ Exodus 14:5-9
Have you ever gotten the green light on something only to have it taken away from you at the last minute?
It must have seemed to the Israelites that they had crossed every possibly hurdle only to have their hopes dashed at the last moment.
It's no small wonder that when they finally got to the wilderness, they felt like everything was against them.
They found it hard to trust God.
And yet, with every obstacle - through all the fits and starts - God was still active. Still moving them forward.
Still making them part of God's plan.
We like to think God has an individual plan for all of our lives, but God more often tends to work God's plan through communities. It was hard for the Israelites to see the long view, and it's hard for us to see the long view.
We are always invited to take part in God's redemptive plan, and while it might be in fits and starts - and while we might not see the ending - we can trust that God remains active, restoring and reconciling all things.
When is a time you felt frustrated with God's timing?
When have you seen God work through communities?
How would you describe God's "long view" of reconciliation?
Help me to take part in your work of reconciling this world. Amen