Seeing the Bad While Waiting for The Good

Deciding about a devotion sometimes requires thought, meditative prayer, and conversation.  This month was one of those times.  I was finally able to put pen to paper after my weekly Bible Chat with my eight grandchildren.  We chatted about times when God asks us to wait for something good while something bad is happening.

This month’s scripture, devotion, and sermon are all based on Exodus 12:7-14.  This passage tells us that God gave Moses precise instructions to help the Israelites face one final deadly plague.  To be exact, they were to smear blood, roast meat, eat the Passover Meal while wearing a cloak and carrying a staff.  All to be done while waiting for death to visit homes.  All so that very soon the Israelites might gain their freedom from the hardheaded Egyptians.

Spend a few minutes meditating on this devotion about waiting for good on the other side of bad.

What was the good?  Moses was to lead the Israelites to freedom.  

What was the bad?  By God’s decree, people would die.

While the Israelites waited for something good, others would face something bad.

Isn’t it interesting that there are times when God asks someone to wait while something very bad is just around the corner?  For one to succeed, another must be destroyed.  Do we sometimes celebrate with such enthusiasm when we win that we forget that we were only victorious because someone else was hurt or killed?

During the days of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt, was it possible that at least one of the reveling Israelites showed sympathy and perhaps even asked God to show mercy to the fallen Egyptians?

What a concept, right?

We have a country of people waiting for something good to happen, while others are hurting.  The Federal workers find themselves wondering what will happen from day to day.  Maybe God helped government agencies like the Post Office a long time ago when it was decided that their funding would come from another budget.  Could that have been like the blood that was smeared on houses where death passed by?  IF that be so, what about those like air traffic controllers, who are working without pay? 

I do not know.  I honestly don’t know!!

But while we wait, perhaps we can remember to pray for those who are suffering now.  While each side stands its ground, can they please remember that someone is losing and hurting now? 

Let’s ask God how we should prepare for whatever looms ahead. 

But while we wait for the good, remember all the bad we as a country will have to endure. 

Remember that someone is hurting, and someone is dying.  While we wait for the good, pray for deliverance from the bad, and certainly remember that we should always be waiting for the goodness of God.