In the midst of your trials you will receive your blessings from the Lord.  So keep hope alive and do not miss your blessings!

A few months ago a distressed young woman spoke to me in confidence about some personal problems that she was facing since the beginning of the year. She was undergoing marital problems, financial issues and the usual work stress. It was during this period of her life when everything was going against her that two positive things happen to her. She discovered unexpectedly that she was with child after waiting for fifteen years. She also received the opportunity to get advance on the job training.

This was the first time since working for her company for over seven years that they offered her such an opportunity. The prospect of a promotion and increase salary appeared certain. She started the training but due to her home problems she decided to withdraw before it was completed. I tried to talk her out of it but she was adamant about her decision. I truly believe that she had given up one of her blessings that God sent her in order to deliver her from her trials. She however did not see it as such. She saw it as an additional stress in her life.

I have learned from an early age that in life, success comes with a price. My mother use to quote a popular Jamaican proverb to us,

“if yu want good yu nose afi run.”

This means that if you want to be successful in life you will have to endure some tough times. Everything that I have achieved in life came with many trials. Most of us were not born with a silver or gold spoon in our mouth so we have to work hard and endure some harsh times in order to achieve our goals.

The Unconsumed Bush

Every mighty man of God went through a wilderness period in their life before they were established. The ‘wilderness’ is a time of testing to teach you patience, humility and obedience before you are promoted by God. During the wilderness period God did not forsake his people but he sent them blessings during their trials until they were established.

Moses was adopted by the Princess of Egypt who raised him in the palace as a royal prince. However, when he discovered his true origin he forsook all his royal status to fight for one of his people. As a result of his brash actions Moses was forced to flee for his life to the land of Midian. It was there that he met his wife and settled. He became a shepherd tending his father-in-law flock.

He fell from a high status as a prince of Egypt to a mere shepherd in the wilderness. He spent many years in the wilderness but it was during this time that he stumbled upon the Holy Place (or Secret Place) of God. Moses was unaware that he had stumbled upon the mountain of God until he saw a bush burning but it was not consumed. Moses was amazed at this scene but instead of fleeing in fear he went towards it because he was curious to see that strange sight.

When God saw Moses fearlessness and determination he called his name from the bush. This was the turning point of Moses life because for the first time he came face to face with God Almighty, the God of his fore fathers. Note carefully the following words which the Lord told Moses:

And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.  So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. (Exodus 3:7-8)

The Israelites were in severe bondage in Egypt for a very long period of time. The bible said that it was four hundred years. This was a very long time to be suffering the agony of enslavement. But God had not forsaken them. In the midst of their persecutions he came down from heaven to earth upon the mount of Horeb to deliver them from bondage.

The Lord needed a man to do this great job on earth. So God selected Moses during his wilderness journey to give him this great commission of being a deliverer for his people. His life was instantly changed from murderer and fugitive to holy man of God.

His status was changed from a Shepherd to the greatest leader that has ever walked the face of this earth. His character was changed from a proud prince to the most humble man who ever live on this earth. It was during his wilderness journey that he discovered his identity and destiny. It was there that the Lord revealed his name to him – I AM Who I AM. The name that confirmed that God is always present with us.

The Lesson For Us

There are many people all over the world who are enduring tribulation and persecution as a result of pestilences and wars. Many of them have become refugees fleeing for their life. Many of them have perished in the harsh terrains and inhumane standard of living. Many of them have given up hope because they felt that God has forsaken them.

However the Lord promised that he will never leave nor forsake us for his great name sake. So even though you may be going through some rough and perilous times keep hope alive and focus on God because his assurance is that:

• He has seen your oppression wherever you may be.
• He has heard your cry.
• He knows your sorrow.
• He has already come down to earth to deliver you out of the hand of your enemies.
• He will bring you to a land flowing with milk and honey.

Your blessings from God are in the midst of your trials. You need to recognize them by been fearless, persistent, be obedient, and be willing to let go of the baggage and stand on holy ground in the holy place of God.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3)

Do not give up hope!

Genesis 1-3; 1 Samuel 12:22; Psalms 37:25; Numbers 12:3  UNHCR