When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble Comes

SERMON OUTLINE

• I. Moses Blamed God
• II. God Responded to Moses

TRANSCRIPT

In our previous message we have learned that the children of Israel had been under the oppression of the Egyptians for centuries and then came the hopeful day when they received the message that the Lord had visited them in their afflictions and He would deliver them from the oppression. They had believed and trusted both Moses and Aaron who went boldly to the Pharaoh to demand that he let the people go and let them worship the Lord in the wilderness. So you can imagine they were so happy and relieved that finally those bad days were coming to an end. However, the Pharaoh not only had refused to let the people go but he even issued a decree to make things more difficult for the Israelites. Their workload was increased because they not only had to make the bricks but now they had to look for their own straws as well. That was what we have learned in our last message.

Now the scene had turned to Moses. Moses had done everything God had commanded him. It took a while for him to accept God's call but once he did, he was careful to do exactly what God had commanded him to do. From the moment he left the burning bush, he went straight to the elders of Israel. He performed the three miraculous signs and then he went to the Pharaoh's residence and said and did exactly what he was told to do and say. But yet the trouble came. When the Pharaoh refused to let the people go and even made things difficult for the Israelites by commanding them to gather their own straws, both Moses and Aaron had become the Israelites' public enemy number one. The Israelites had blamed Moses and Aaron for bringing all the troubles, and more than that, they even pronounced a curse by calling God to send His divine judgment upon them.

Dear friends, have you ever encountered a similar experience like Moses and Aaron? When you have done exactly what you think God wants you to do, and humanly speaking, it turned out to be a complete disaster. For example, you decided prayerfully to go on a mission trip to a remote village in a third-world country to preach and share the gospel. It is a good thing, and you decided to bring your little children along with you to teach them the importance of gospel sharing despite opposition from your parents who were unbelievers. They complained that the village was too remote, the children were too young. Nonetheless, you went ahead in obedience to the Great Commission. But upon your arrival at the destination, one of your children contracted a deadly, life-threatening disease, and your whole family was forced to return back home. Upon your return, your parents said to you, "See, we have already told you not to go."

Or let's say you were single, praying for a life partner, and someone introduced a young man to you. He ticked all the boxes, but he was an unbeliever, and so you refused, despite your friends' persistent persuasions. Now, after 20 years later, you are still single and waiting for the right man to come along. Or you refused to work on Sundays because you want to serve and worship the Lord. You had multiple job offers, but they all required you to work on Sundays, and you rejected them. Now, after two years, you are still unemployed. The pastor may be faithfully preaching and teaching God's Word, instead of the congregation growing, it starts to shrink. How should we respond to all these situations when we have done everything right, at least to the best of our knowledge and ability, and yet trouble comes? This is what we want to learn from today's passage in Exodus 5:22-6:5. The title of our message is "When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble Comes."

I. Moses Blamed God

Our first point is “Moses Blamed God”. Let us begin with verse 22, “And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?" Verse 23, "For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all." The word "evil" means trouble. In other words, why have you brought this trouble upon the people? It is not difficult to understand why Moses felt so disappointed. Everything was working so smoothly. He performed the three miraculous signs; the people had believed his message. They bowed their heads and worshipped God. But immediately after that, everything was in chaos. The people not only blamed him, but they even cursed him and called upon God to send His divine judgment upon him.

Actually, Moses should not be surprised when the Pharaoh had refused to let God's people go. He should know that the Pharaoh would not give up his slaves without a fight. Why? Because God had already told him. Turn with me to Exodus 3:19. Exodus 3:19, God said to Moses, "And I am sure that the king of Egypt” — the Pharaoh — “will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand." And in Exodus 4:21, God said, "I will harden [the Pharaoh's] heart, that he shall not let the people go." So God had already told Moses, and Moses would expect the Pharaoh to refuse to let the people go. But what he could not understand was that God did not say anything about the Israelites having to gather their own straws. God did not say anything about the Israelites attacking the spiritual leaders, Aaron and himself. In other words, Moses had certain expectations about how things would turn out. He had expected some resistance from the Pharaoh, but he did not expect things to turn out this way.

I believe the most painful part was when he was attacked by his own people, the Israelites. They were blaming him for all the troubles. Recently, I was speaking to one of my pastor friends who was experiencing some troubles in his church. He said to me, "When the Lord called me into the ministry, I expected that there would be troubles, oppositions, and adversities. But I never expected the troubles, oppositions, and adversities to come from within the church, from the very people whom I have helped and ministered to all these years.” To be attacked by your own people is one of the most painful experiences.

What did the Israelites do when they were oppressed by the Pharaoh? They blamed Moses. What did Moses do when the Israelites accused him? He blamed God. There’s nothing wrong in asking God questions. When we pray, we speak to God, and oftentimes we will ask questions because there are many things we do not know, nor do we understand. So, we will ask God questions. There's nothing wrong in pouring out our hearts before God. But here, Moses was blaming God. In blaming God, he was guilty of unbelief, not trusting in God to fulfil His promises. He was guilty of impatience, not waiting upon the Lord to bring salvation in His own good time. But most importantly, he was guilty of calling God a troublemaker. "O Lord, why have you brought this evil, or trouble to the people?" He was accusing God of being a troublemaker.

Notice the number of times Moses used the word "thou," referring to God. "Wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? Why have you brought all this trouble to the people? why is it that thou hast sent me? Why have you sent me? Didn't I tell you previously that you should send someone else? Neither hast thou delivered thy people at all. You promised to deliver the people, but you have not delivered them at all. You, you, you. It is your fault."

Dear friends, isn't it true that so often we are just like Moses when trouble comes? We blame God for what He is doing and for what He is not doing. Usually, the trouble will come to us in the form of a situation. It could be the adverse situation we face in the ministry, in the church, in the fellowship groups. Or it could be the loss of our jobs, our health, our relationships, our wealth. Or the trouble may come to us through the people, whether it be through gossiping, slandering, false accusations, and allegations. When the trouble comes, we must never blame God. But instead, we should cry out to God and pray that He will either deliver us or give us the strength to endure the trouble. That is what you and I must do. Do not be like Moses, blaming God. "You, you, you. It is all your fault." We should cry out to God, "Lord, be merciful. If it is your will for me to go through this trouble, grant me the strength. Or else, deliver me out of this trouble."

II. God Responded to Moses

Let us move on to our second point: “God's Response to Moses”. God provided an answer to Moses' question. Look at Exodus 6:1, "Then the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a” —mighty— “strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land." Instead of dealing with Moses harshly, God was so patient with him. He explained to Moses that “all these things happen for a purpose, and now you will see what I will do to the Pharaoh. I've already told you he will not let the people go, and by My strong hand, then will he let the people go. Now you will see how by My strong hand, the Pharaoh himself will be the one who will drive the Israelites out of his land.”

Dear friends, God is always in control, whatever be the circumstances. Moses thought that things had gone from bad to worse, just as many of us, when we encounter troubles, afflictions, pain, tribulations, our first thought would be, things have gone from bad to worse. But as far as God is concerned, everything is working perfectly according to plan. Remember, God was the one who had hardened the Pharaoh's heart. In other words, even the Pharaoh's hard-hearted refusal was part of the plan of salvation. Everything was working according to God's plan. Pharaoh would refuse to let his people go, but eventually, he himself will be the one to drive the Israelites out of his land. The all-wise, all-powerful God had everything under control.

Theologians use a word to describe God's ability to keep everything under control. That is the word sovereignty. God is sovereign, means He reigns supreme over the entire universe He has created. He sits on the throne, He rules over everyone and everything with a mighty hand. Nothing happens by chance or coincidence, but by His appointment. As Westminster Confession of Faith, question number 3 says, "God, from all eternity, did by the most wise and holy council of His own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass."

Let us take a moment and consider the sovereignty of God. If you and I believe that God is sovereign, He has everything under His control, He has ordained all things, then surely when trouble comes, He is still in control, right? Obviously, we may not understand every situation of life, especially troubles. But whether we understand it or not, God is working to accomplish His glorious purpose. Sometimes, God allows the trouble to continue in order to prove that He not only can save, but He can save in a most mighty way. Sometimes, God allows the trouble to continue in order to teach us to be patient.

Moses seemed to think that the moment the children of Israel believed his message, the moment he started to obey God's command, God's call, everything would just happen in an instant. The Israelites will be delivered. That is not how He works. Oftentimes, God will slowly reveal His glory through a gradual unfolding of His plan and purpose. Now the case of the Israelites, we all know that the Israelites were slaves for how many years? 400 years. They were waiting 400 years for their salvation. God could have saved them at any moment, but that was not His plan.

Dear friends, how do we apply this great truth into our lives? It does not mean that the moment we believe God, the moment we become a Christian, the moment we obey His Word, there will be no trouble, and everything will be smooth sailing. That is not how He works. There is no successful ministry without any difficulties. There's no godly Christian who never experiences any trials or tribulations. There is no Bible-believing church that never faces any challenges. There will always be troubles. And when the trouble comes, we must not only remember that God is sovereign and He is in control, but He has a sovereign purpose sometimes in allowing the trouble to continue in our lives, God is sovereign.

God's answer to Moses reveals another great truth: that God remembers His covenant. Look at verse 2. "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord". The name "the Lord" or "Jehovah" was God's covenant name. Verse 3, "And I appeared unto Abraham, and unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty. But by my name Jehovah was I not known to them?" Here, it seems to suggest that God had never revealed His name Jehovah to the patriarchs. However, this special name occurs more than 100 times in the Book of Genesis. For example, Genesis 4:26. Maybe you can turn with me to Genesis 4:26. Let me read for you. "And to Seth, [and] to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord." That is the name Jehovah. So in those days, the people were already calling God by this name Jehovah. His covenant name. Genesis 17:1. "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord" —again, that is the name Jehovah— "appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God” —that is the name El Shaddai— “walk before me, and be thou perfect.'"

So why did God say, "but by [the] name Jehovah was I not known to them"? Some theologians explain it this way: that the patriarchs did not fully understand the meaning of God's covenant name Jehovah. When God said to Moses, "By this name Jehovah, I was not known to them," it does not mean that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had never heard of God's covenant name before. What it means is that they did not fully understand it or they did not understand it in all its fullness. You see, although Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew the one living and true God, they were believers. But they never witnessed His mighty work of salvation. They only received it by promise. This is the difference between the Book of Genesis and the Book of Exodus. One theologian puts it this way: Abraham knew God as a promise maker, while Moses knew God as a promise keeper. In the Book of Exodus, God was not simply making promises to the people, but He was demonstrating the saving power behind His covenant name, revealing Himself as the Lord Jehovah of salvation. In other words, “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they knew my covenant name Jehovah by promise, but you will know my covenant name Jehovah by me demonstrating my saving power.”

So here, Moses will see how God will keep His covenant He has made to the patriots Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the most powerful fashion. Verse 4 and 5: "And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant." Even during Abraham's time when the patriots were foreigners in a strange land, God had already promised that ultimately He would bring them into the promised land. How do we know? Genesis 15:18-21. Let me read for you Genesis 15:18-21: "In the same day the Lord” —again, Jehovah God’s covenant name— “made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."

Will God keep His promise, or will He forget His promise? Will God keep His covenant that He has made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to bring them into the promised land that their descendants will one day be in the land of promise? Most certainly. So He was not only delivering the Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt; that was only the first step. The ultimate fulfilment of God's covenant was that He would bring the Israelites not just out of Egypt but into the promised land. And God said, "I remember my covenant. I remember the promise that I had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Will I not keep my covenant?" Surely He will.

If you notice, this passage is a repetition of what God had already said in chapter 3. When God repeats things like this, it is because we need to hear them more than once. As humans, we always forget, especially in times of trouble. That is why we need to be reminded. Like the Israelites, they may bow their heads and worship God, but when trouble comes, they blame Moses. And when Moses faces adversities, he blames God. God wants the people to be reminded that He is sovereign, He's in control of all things. He reigns supreme over everyone and everything He has created. Nothing happens by chance or coincidence. And He wants us to be reminded that He remembers His promises that He has made. In fact, do you realise that much of our Christian lives, much of our Bible studies, much of our Bible reading, much of our preaching has to do with being reminded of what we already know? As humans, we need to be reminded. Why? So we can apply it to each new situation of life. When trouble comes, we always forget, so we need to be reminded through preaching, through our Bible reading, through the study of God's Word so we can apply and be victorious in our Christian work.

When we have done everything right, or at least to the best of our ability and knowledge, and yet trouble comes, what do we do? We need to be reminded that God is still God, He's sovereign, He is in control, He is the God of history, the same God who promised salvation to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the same God who raised up Moses to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. Like Moses, you and I need to be reminded that whatever we are going through, God knows. He knows what you and I are going through; He knows what is ahead of us in the future, which you and I have no idea. He is sovereign; He's in control, and He will keep every promise He has made in the Holy Scriptures. He will be with us; He will never forget, neither will He forsake us. So when things that we have done rightly, and yet trouble comes, never blame God. Instead, cry out to Him and ask God to deliver us and ask Him to give us the strength to endure the trouble. And let us always be reminded He is sovereign, He's in control of all things, whatever be the circumstances. Let us pray.

Our Father in Heaven, we thank Thee for enabling us to consider this portion of scriptures. Help us O Lord, to learn from the saints of old, to learn from their victorious life, and even from their failures too that we will not commit the same mistakes. This evening, Thou has taught us how we ought to learn not to be like Moses who blamed Thee. Who are we? We are but creatures created by the Almighty God. Who are we to point our fingers at Thee? yet we have done so in time past, and even whenever we face troubles.

O Lord, forgive us, forgive us for how ignorant we are. Instead of blaming Thee, we should cry out to Thee. We should pray that Thou will deliver us, if it is Thy will and purpose, or grant to us the strength to endure whatever troubles we are facing. And help us always to remember that Thou art sovereign, Thou art in control of all things. Nothing happens by chance or coincidence, even the troubles, the afflictions, and tribulations that come into our lives. Help us to remember that Thou art a God who will keep Thy promises, a covenantal-keeping God. Our hearts are comforted, knowing that Thou art sovereign, Thou art in control. And Thou art the loving God who keeps Thy promises. Blessed be Thy precious name. We give Thee thanks, and we pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.

THE BOOK OF EXODUS

God’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To Pass

God’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To Pass

Exodus 1:1-7

From Prosperity to Persecution

From Prosperity to Persecution

Exodus 1:8-14

God’s Protection in the Midst of Adversities

God’s Protection in the Midst of Adversities

Exodus 1:15-21

The Faith of Jochebed

The Faith of Jochebed

Exodus 1:22-2:10

Moses in Egypt

Moses in Egypt

Exodus 2:11-15

Moses in the Desert of Midian

Moses in the Desert of Midian

Exodus 2:16-25

Moses and the Burning Bush

Moses and the Burning Bush

Exodus 3:1-9

Who Are You?

Who Are You?

Exodus 3:10-15

Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Exodus 3:10-15

God’s Message to Israel and Egypt

God’s Message to Israel and Egypt

Exodus 3:16-22

What If They Still Don’t Believe?

What If They Still Don’t Believe?

Exodus 4:1-9

Send Someone Else

Send Someone Else

Exodus 4:10-17

Moses’ Return to Egypt

Moses’ Return to Egypt

Exodus 4:18-20

When Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got Worse

When Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got Worse

Exodus 5:10-21

When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble Comes

When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble Comes

Exodus 5:22-6:5

Having to Learn the Same Lesson Twice

Having to Learn the Same Lesson Twice

Exodus 6:6-12

Faithful or Unfaithful

Faithful or Unfaithful

Exodus 6:13-27

What God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and Obedience

What God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and Obedience

Exodus 6:28-7:7

The First Plague - The River of Blood

The First Plague - The River of Blood

Exodus 7:14-25

The Second Plague - The Frogs

The Second Plague - The Frogs

Exodus 8:1-15

The Third Plague

The Third Plague

Exodus 8:16-19

The Fourth Plague

The Fourth Plague

Exodus 8:20-32

The Fifth Plague

The Fifth Plague

Exodus 9:1-7

The Sixth Plague

The Sixth Plague

Exodus 9:8-12

The Seventh Plague

The Seventh Plague

Exodus 9:13-35

The Eighth Plague

The Eighth Plague

Exodus 10:1-20

The Tenth Plague

The Tenth Plague

Exodus 11:1-10

The First Passover

The First Passover

Exodus 12:1-13

The Feast of the Unleavened Bread

The Feast of the Unleavened Bread

Exodus 12:14-28

Departure From Egypt

Departure From Egypt

Exodus 12:29-42

This Do In Remembrance of Me

This Do In Remembrance of Me

Exodus 12:43-51; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!

Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!

Exodus 12:48-49, Colossians 2:11-12

Redemption and Consecration

Redemption and Consecration

Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Exodus 13:17-22

Between the Desert and the Red Sea

Between the Desert and the Red Sea

Exodus 14:1-14

Crossing the Red Sea

Crossing the Red Sea

Exodus 14:15-31

The Song of Praise

The Song of Praise

Exodus 15:1-21

Will You Obey Or Not?

Will You Obey Or Not?

Exodus 15:22-27

The Danger of a Complaining Spirit

The Danger of a Complaining Spirit

Exodus 16:1-3

God’s Response to Israel’s Complaints

God’s Response to Israel’s Complaints

Exodus 16:1-10

The Test of Faith

The Test of Faith

Exodus 16:11-20

Lessons About the Sabbath

Lessons About the Sabbath

Exodus 16:21-36

Do Not Test God

Do Not Test God

Exodus 17:1-17

Lift Up Your Hands

Lift Up Your Hands

Exodus 17:8-16

The Blessedness of Reunion

The Blessedness of Reunion

Exodus 18:1-12

Why Do We Have Leaders?

Why Do We Have Leaders?

Exodus 18:13-27

I Will Carry You On Eagles’ Wings

I Will Carry You On Eagles’ Wings

Exodus 19:1-6

Approach God Fearlessly or Fearfully

Approach God Fearlessly or Fearfully

Exodus 19:7-15

God Reached Out And Spoke

God Reached Out And Spoke

Exodus 19:16-25

Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods

Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods

Exodus 20:1-3

Thou Shalt Not Make Graven Images

Thou Shalt Not Make Graven Images

Exodus 20:4-6

Thou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s Name

Thou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s Name

Exodus 20:7

Thou Shalt Keep The Sabbath Day

Thou Shalt Keep The Sabbath Day

Exodus 20:8-11

Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother

Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother

Exodus 20:12

Thou Shalt Not Kill

Thou Shalt Not Kill

Exodus 20:13

Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

Exodus 20:14

Thou Shalt Not Steal

Thou Shalt Not Steal

Exodus 20:15

If Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up Hence

If Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up Hence

Exodus 33:12-23