When Life Doesn’t Make Sense: The Exodus Attitude

When life throws us an unexpected surprise that turns our world upside down, it is human nature to regain our bearings by reclaiming some sense of control over our circumstances. What, or who, we turn to in that moment of crisis makes all the difference in the world.

Consider the Jewish people right after they left Egypt, a place that was their homeland for over 400 years. Overnight all that was familiar to them – their routine, daily activities, diet, and sense of security – was suddenly stripped from them. God was in the process of doing something marvelous, but in doing so he had radically disrupted his chosen people’s “normal” life. It was pretty big “curveball.”

So when their leader, Moses, retreats for an extended period to visit with God on Mt. Sinai, the people become restless. They could not see God or hear his voice. Consequently, they conclude that God had brought them all this way only to abandon them. Then what do they do? They build an idol in the form of a golden calf. They wanted something they could see and touch, something “real” and tangible. So they forsook the one true God for a dumb, speechless cow!

How tragic! Friends, believe me, it is hard, especially when life gets tough, to trust in a God you can’t always see, hear, and touch. Yet it is in those moments that we must not abandon God or blame him for our circumstances. Never forget Peter’s words of encouragement in 1 Peter 1:7 (GNV):

[The purpose of your grief and trial are] to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure.

Do not be like the Israelites of Moses’ day. Cling to God. Run to Him. Let him be your refuge, especially during uncertain times.