Expecting the Unexpected
Exodus 12:40-42 Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the Lord’s divisions left Egypt. Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come.
Have you ever had to wait? It’s funny how waiting works. With all of the planning and scheduling in our day to day, sometimes all you can do is wait. But, it seems that no matter how long or often you do it, waiting never gets easier.
The Israelites knew something about waiting. Long before Israel even became a nation, God made a promise that the people he chose, would become a great nation and inhabit land. While they waited for the promise, God’s people went through much hardship. It took over 400 years of waiting on God’s Promise before the Israelites finally gained breakthrough. 400 years!
Now, if you’ve spent any amount of time in church, you have probably heard preachers give eloquent renditions of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea under the revolutionary leader Moses. This scene is especially popular in the black preaching tradition, having been a major thread in the tapestry of African American history.
However, what many preachers do not speak on is the gap. The scenes of a 400 year gap between the promise and the prison-break is place that is far more familiar to the every day person, than the season finale episode of the miracle of a parted red sea. But, there are some lessons in the gap.
Expect the unexpected. Some people believe, since they came to church or came to faith, that life should start working out. But, anybody who has been on this journey of following God understands, that this life of faith is not a get rich quick scheme. Following God means some unexpected challenges will come your way. Just like it was unexpected for Israel to find themselves in slavery after God had promised to make them a great nation, so many people find themselves in unexpected places in their day to day lives. But, when you expect the unexpected, you are committing to live God’s way even when life doesn’t go your way.
Live Today For A Better Tomorrow. Israel’s commitment to stay committed to God even though things turned very sour for them, established a culture that preserved a legacy to be handed down throughout the generations. In other words, the amazing thing about the Israelites, is that after 400 years of slavery they still came out worshipping the God they had known even though the Egyptians wanted them to abandon him. Committing to God’s way is not just going to be blessing for you, it will be a blessing for those that come after you.
Timing Is Everything. Bishop TD Jakes said: “People who don’t understand God’s timing can become spiritually spastic, trying to make the right things happen at the wrong time.” Trying to do the right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing. Following God is not just about looking right, it is about doing right. Anybody can look like christian on Sunday, but how you live in the gap between the sermons is where real faith is built.
Will you commit to wait for God even when God’s timing takes longer than expected. Will you commit to do the things that please God even if it means being obedient when no one is there to record your good deeds for the ‘gram? (instagram, its a social media thing). It is so important that we follow God even when life throws us curve balls. Choose today. Make the commitment to follow God even when you face the unexpected.