1. Exodus 6:9 (ESV)
  2. Application

Stress and anxiety from wrong thinking

Exodus 6:9 (ESV)

9 Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.

We are especially prone to wrong thinking in times of stress, anxiety, and suffering, and that is why it is not hard to identify ourselves in the Israelites’ response in Exodus 6:9. We are not listening to what the Lord revealed about his name when we think, If God is loving he would not let this happen to me, or If the Bible tells me to do something I don’t like, I must be reading it incorrectly. If you picture God as some sort of Santa Claus in the sky, who has failed if he does not give you the blessings you prayed for, you have not heard what the Lord has made known to us about his Name.

When today looks gloomy or hopeless, do not turn to the government to save you, and don’t take out your anger on other people or fellow Christians as if any change in their behaviour could make the situation in our church better, but lift your eyes to the Lord and reflect on the long history of faithfulness standing behind his promises. This is what the Lord showed Moses in his despair and fear, and this is what we need to see today also.