God's desire in your struggles

How would you like to have had Moses' job?

"And the LORD said to Moses, 'See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land'" (Ex 7:1-2).

Sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?

But wait. There's more.

"But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you" (v 3-4a).

Great. It looks like the boss is working against Moses. God gives him instructions, but then says, "It's not going to work, because I'm not going to let it work."

Just keep reading.

"Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment" (v 4b).

God was going to keep His word. He would bring them out of Egypt.

But why didn't God just let Moses and Aaron speak to Pharaoh, who would grant their wish and let the Israelites go?

"The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them" (v 5).

God wanted to make it clear that He was the LORD. He wanted everyone in Egypt to know that He was the one who brought about the Exodus.

Not the smooth politics of Moses and Aaron. Not the softness of Pharaoh's heart. Not some behind the scenes deals by the Pharaoh's advisers.

God and God alone would be glorified.

How often are we trying to manipulate a situation to get what we think God wants to happen? Our counsel to others is often, "Do A and B, then C will happen." How often do we want to put a notch on our rifles to prove how great we are at solving problems?

And all the time God is working to bring glory to Himself. Not to us.

He wants us and those around us to know that He is the LORD. He wants to work great miracles to show the world that He is the LORD.

So why do we keep trying to steal His glory?