As he squishes in the mud, each stomp of his feet keeps the beat of the song in his heart. He thinks about the upcoming vacation and can’t help but smile. Even the shouts of the boss to hurry can’t get him riled today. He’s going to have a few days off.
A kernel of doubt enters his brain. “The big boss hasn’t Okayed the trip yet.” It was true. He was still awaiting final approval.
They had asked for time off to go and worship. The boss was a religious man. Granted, it was a different religion, but he understood the need for worship.
The doubt didn’t leave. It irritated him the way a sharp rock down in the mud would do to his foot. The difference: with the rock he could stick his hand down in the quagmire and pull it out. The feeling of uncertainty in his mind was more elusive.
How about you? Have you ever had a situation at work where you asked the boss for a favor? How about a favor that had to do with worship, or a Bible conference, or a Good-Friday service, did you have to wait for the boss to answer your request? It can be frustrating. Let’s look back at our story and see what happened.
The boss gave a resounding NO. No way. Not a chance.
The man was discouraged as he went to bed the night he heard. The next morning he had to drag himself to work. The day didn’t get better. The boss let his team know that there was a change.
“If you have enough time to go off to worship your God, you’ve got time to gather your own straw.”
“What?” The man thought. “We already dig the clay from the hillside and carry the water from the river. If we have to have to gather the straw too we’ll never be able to make as many bricks.” Then he chuckled under his breath. “Serves the boss right – he won’t have as many bricks, the Jerk.”
Just then the boss said, “I’ll expect the same number of bricks as always. Failure to do so will bring about steep penalties.”
Unfair! Unjust! Why would God allow this to happen to people who were trying to worship him? He’s a loving God who wants to bless his children. How could he be so uncaring?
The man in the story and his team asked God very similar question. Their leader, Moses, questioned God’s actions – or inaction – as well. And, if you’re like me, you’ve probably questioned God in very similar ways when things didn’t go as you planned.
So, why didn’t God allow them to go and worship. I mean, that’s a good thing, a great thing, something he’s commanded us to do. Does God not really care?
In truth, God does care about us. That doesn’t mean blessing us is his first priority though, especially if by blessing us we mean giving us what we want. God’s first priority is that he is glorified before the world. Ezekiel 36:22-23 says, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name … I will vindicate the holiness of my great name which has been profaned among the nations … and the nations will know that I am the Lord….”
That’s what he was doing for Moses and children of Israel. After Moses questioned God’s inaction the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharoah….” (Exodus 6:1) He gave Moses a message for the people. Basically he said, “You wanted to go worship me for a few days and then come back to serve as slaves under Pharoah, but I’m going to way out do that dream. I’m going to take you to the land I promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I’m going to be your God and you, my children, will worship me there.”
Wow! God’s plan was a far greater blessing, and in the process of blessing the children of Israel he would glorify his name among all the nations. Before you get too excited, read the response of his people. Moses told them everything God had said, “but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.”
It would be easy for us to shake our heads at their attitude, but how often have I completely missed the real blessing God had planned because I was feeling sorry for myself. I was having a pity party because God didn’t do what I thought he should have.
When things don’t go your way lift your eyes to the hills – or those bright, white, fluorescent lights if you’re at work – and say like the Psalm, “My help comes from the Lord (the Boss), who made heaven and earth.” (121:2) You can watch his plan unfold. You can be the one glorifying his name before the nations.
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