Finally - But Wait!

Life doesn't always go according to plan. In fact, sometimes just when plans finally seem to be coming to fruition, painful and disappointing setbacks emerge.

Consider Moses. After the tumultuous interactions with Pharaoh, the dramatic deliverance, and approximately two years of desert travel, (during which Moses faced repeated complaints, demands, and rebellion), Israel finally reached the Promised Land. Moses was ready to lead the people into the land of blessing. But wait! The fearful, unbelieving people refused to go in. Moses had to lead those obstinate people through forty more years of senseless wandering, ultimately losing his own opportunity to enter.

Consider Joseph. After hatred by his brothers, years as a slave, false accusation, and unjust imprisonment, Joseph finally had a promising encounter. Joseph expected  Pharaoh's grateful cupbearer to intercede to Pharaoh on his behalf, leading to Joseph's vindication and freedom. But wait! The cupbearer forgot, and Joseph languished in prison for two additional years.

Consider Abraham. After God's promise of a son, there followed twenty-five long years of waiting, years that included questions, failure, and self-effort. Finally Isaac was born, and Abraham could rejoice in seeing the beginning of God's plan. But wait! God asked him to sacrifice that very son, the miracle child who could not be replaced.

Consider Paul. After years of persecution for sharing the Gospel, capture in Jerusalem, threat of conspiracy, and two years of imprisonment without resolution of his case, Paul was finally granted the opportunity to appeal to Caesar where he could be vindicated. But wait! This hopeful plan met with additional imprisonment, more hearings, a dangerous sea voyage, shipwreck, delay, and years of house arrest.

The reasons for these disappointments were quite varied. For Moses, it was the unbelief of others. For Joseph, it was another's neglect. For Abraham, it was direct interaction by God. For Paul, it was governmental inefficiency and incompetence.

In each case there was a bigger picture, however. God was always working to accomplish His plan. Through these setbacks, Moses, Joseph, and Abraham each had remarkable roles in preserving the nation of Israel. Paul had tremendous opportunities for spreading the Gospel and writing Scripture.

These disappointing reversals were not easy for any of these men, but the men did not give up. They kept going, kept obeying, and kept following God, even when all human hope had disappeared. This faithful obedience was extremely important. If these men had quit, (God's providence aside), Israel would have wandered without a leader, the nation would have died in a famine, the budding nation of faith would have been squelched in unbelief, the spread of the gospel would have been curtailed, and several books of the Bible would not have been written.

Each man's case also reveals the hand of God. Although the situations were not ideal, these men were never neglected nor forgotten by God. Rather, God continued to work and bless. Moses recounted God's provision for Israel: "These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing" (Deuteronomy 2:7). Joseph could accurately say, "God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive" (Genesis 50:20). God commended Abraham, "For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me" (Genesis 22:12). Paul's treacherous journey resulted in his "preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered" (Acts 28:31), in fulfillment of God's promise (Acts 23:11). God reveals that "without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6), but faith pleases Him. Each of these men experienced the pleasure of God because of his faith.

In matters of health, employment, marriage, family, finances, and more, modern Christians also have stories of disappointment, delay, and reversal. Life does not always go according to desire or plan. Like these Bible characters, it may seem that just when things are finally turning around, just when the dark sky is finally brightening, just when life finally starts to present some optimism, everything unexpectedly falls apart. Hope dies, progress ceases, and the direction of life is reversed through means completely outside of one's own control.

Moving faithfully forward is not easy, but it is necessary, just as it was for these Biblical examples. While modern stories may not have the same historic impact as these Biblical examples, there would nevertheless be disastrous negative consequences for leaving God's plan, just as there will be tremendous positive results for continued faithfulness. An individual cannot know what those negative consequences would be nor what the positive results will be, but one or the other will come, depending on the individual's decision. Modern Christians probably won't shape the course of history, but they can impact their own history as well as that of their families, friends, churches, and communities. More importantly, their faith and obedience will bring the pleasure and approval of God.

The types of reassurances that God gives today are also the same. He reassures of His presence, provides needs, does His divine work, expresses His approval, and fulfills His promises. Christians are never abandoned by God in their times of disappointment.

Believers must continue to follow God in spite of unexpected and changing circumstances. They must continue to submit to His plan, repeatedly saying, "Yes, God, I will follow your path. By your grace I will remain faithful until the end." They must trust the God who alone knows every detail of their path and what He plans to accomplish through their lives. Not resisting, not despairing, not wavering, they must express the sentiment of Mac Lynch's song "I Will Follow."

I will follow Thee, my Savior, where-e’er the pathway may go:
Through the storm or through the valley or through great trials so low.
I rest in Thee, trust in Thee, I place my life in Thy hands.
I will follow Thee, my Savior; Lead on, my Shepherd, lead on.