What does it look like to live by faith? When God promised the Israelites deliverance from Egypt, their hearts were humble and trusting: "When they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped" (Exodus 4:31, NIV). Some of them may have thought the escape would be easy. "You're setting us free? Great!!! Let's go!"
A short time later, however, their attitudes changed . . .
Pharaoh denied their request to leave and punished them with a back-breaking workload, and many hearts turned from Moses, God's chosen deliverer: "May God look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us” (Exodus 5:21). I'm sure many thought, This is freedom? God isn't making sense here. Still enslaved, they were bitterly discouraged. But we know from exchanges between God and Moses that their rescue was already in motion. After a season of hardship, waiting, and fighting for freedom (via Moses and Aaron), they were not only released, but commanded to go! (See Exodus 12:31–33.)
Free at last!!! Or maybe not . . .
Realizing they were giving up a slave labor force of millions, the Egyptians pursued. Trapped by a seaside encampment with nowhere to go, the Israelites were terrified. They cried out to God, but blamed Moses. Completely forgetting God's promise of freedom, they sank into despair and unbelief: "It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than die in the desert!" (See Exodus 14:12.)
Did they die though? No matter how afraid they were, or how certain they were of their doom, in the end God did what he said he would do: He set them free. He provided the opportunity for a new life in a new land.
As we seek to grow in God and find freedom from the things that bind us, he will necessarily lead us through difficult circumstances to get there. Satan throws his hat in the ring as well, trying to block our path to intimacy with God and fullness of life. There's great news though: we don't have to stay stuck. When our backs are up against a wall, God is faithful to provide a way through each difficulty we face.
The trick is to believe what he tells us. Believe it when he says, "Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). You want change—to overcome sinful habits in your life? Walk faithfully with him—he'll grant your desire and empower you to do it. Believe that you can have a fulfilling life despite it problems (John 10:10). Need to navigate conflict successfully? Seek his face and follow his direction—he'll see you safely to the other side without letting it pull you under.
He is truly good, and has good in store for us. "As for God, his way is perfect; The word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him" (Psalm 18:30). In the midst of your journey, trust in his promises—in him. Don't let fear stemming from difficulties and obstacles sideline you. It's way too easy to give up and remain "comfortably" imprisoned. Keep your eyes on truth. Just as we have confidence for the life to come, so for this life "We live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
