The Faith of Moses: Trusting God Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense

Have you ever been through a storm in life where making sense of things seemed like trying to find a needle in a haystack? Most of us have been there, stuck in life’s whirlpools, desperately trying to grasp some direction. Enter Moses, a timeless biblical figure who provides a really compelling example of what it means to have faith, especially when logic seems out of reach. The Faith of Moses is indeed legendary, not just as a story set in the distant past but as a living, breathing testimony of what it means to trust in God.

The Early Years: From Palace to Exile

Let’s start with a bit of Moses’ backstory to see how his faith journey begins. Born at a time when Pharaoh had ordered the death of all male Hebrew infants, Moses’ life starts with the audacity of hope. His mother puts him in a papyrus basket and sets him afloat on the Nile, trusting that somehow, someway, God’s hand is at work. Lucky—or should we say divinely orchestrated?—for Moses, Pharaoh’s daughter finds him and raises him as her own in the palace, an upbringing that was far from ordinary for a Hebrew child.

But things take a turn. Moses ends up killing an Egyptian for mistreating a Hebrew slave and flees to the desert of Midian. Imagine going from the comfort of a palace to the harshness of the desert. Yet, this period of exile isn’t wasted time; it serves as a time of spiritual formation. Here’s where seeds are planted that will bloom into the Faith of Moses.

The Burning Bush: When God Calls

Moses is minding his business in the desert when he encounters something bizarre: a bush that’s on fire but doesn’t burn up. This is God calling Moses through a supernatural experience. The task laid before him is daunting—to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. It’s a mission filled with risks and improbabilities. Imagine standing in front of a bush that defies the laws of nature and being told that you’ve got to confront one of the most powerful leaders in the world and demand the freedom of an enslaved nation. Most people would say, “Check, please.” But this is where we first see the burgeoning Faith of Moses. It was frightening, and Moses resisted initially, but eventually, he accepts the calling, beginning a journey of incredible faith and trust in God.

The Reluctant Leader: Strength in Vulnerability

It’s a common misconception that faith means having it all together. In truth, Moses was a reluctant leader. He grappled with doubts, much like you and me. He even questioned his ability to speak effectively, asking God to send someone else (Exodus 4:10-13). Yet God saw potential in Moses that Moses couldn’t yet see in himself.

But isn’t this the crux of faith—acting despite doubt? Over time, Moses learns to lean more on God’s strength than his weaknesses. He transforms, not into a perfect leader but into a great one who leads by relying on divine wisdom rather than his flawed human emotions. The Faith of Moses had room for insecurity and vulnerability, and there’s beauty in knowing that faith doesn’t eliminate questions; it re-directs them toward God.

Confronting Pharaoh: Standing Before Goliath

The drama of Moses’ life peaks when he stands before Pharaoh. Armed not with a sword, but with a staff and God’s promise, he faces down one of the most powerful men on earth. Picture the grandeur of Pharaoh’s palace, a symbol of absolute authority. To us, it might look like standing before Goliath with nothing but a slingshot of faith.

Each plague brings with it a lesson in trust. Moses delivers God’s message time and again, and Pharaoh hardens his heart repeatedly. But God’s promise stands firm, and the Faith of Moses never wavers. Sometimes, faith looks like returning again and again, refusing to back down even when all the odds are stacked against you. And with each return to Pharaoh, the Faith of Moses strengthens, like a muscle being flexed under pressure.

The Exodus: A Leap into the Unknown

Imagine starting a journey in the dead of night, with children, elderly family members, and everything you own hastily packed. The Israelites began their exodus from Egypt under Moses’ guidance, fueled by the urgency of impending danger and the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. How many of us like holding onto things familiar, even when they’re not good for us?

Taking that first step into the unknown with your people looking to you for guidance is no small act. It required immense courage and the Faith of Moses was the catalyst. Sometimes, faith means taking one step at a time, even when you can’t see beyond the next footfall.

The Red Sea: Where Faith Meets Miracle

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for—the quintessential high-stakes scenario where the Faith of Moses is put on full display. Imagine standing with the Red Sea before you and Pharaoh’s army closing in from behind. Standing on a knife edge, faced with either death or imprisonment, anyone would question the journey so far. It’s a classic “rock and a hard place” situation if there ever was one.

But then faith kicks in. Moses lifts his staff, not as a mere piece of wood but as a conduit of divine power, and the sea parts. A miracle unfolds not just for Moses but for an entire nation, illustrating that faith, when mixed with divine action, can indeed move mountains—or seas, for that matter. The Faith of Moses serves as a testament to the phenomenal ways God can make paths where none seem possible.

Wandering in the Desert: Trusting in God’s Timing

Just when you think it’s all smooth sailing after the Red Sea episode, there’s the reality of the desert. The Israelites wander for forty years, a detour that wasn’t part of the plan. But here’s another rich lesson of faith—waiting on God’s timing. The Faith of Moses is tested again as the community grumbles and doubts. He intercedes on their behalf, trusts God’s promise, and keeps moving forward even when the destination seems nowhere in sight.

Faith here isn’t passive; it’s active endurance. Even when the vision of the Promised Land is distant, Moses teaches us the importance of keeping the faith alive through patience and conviction.

Receiving the Ten Commandments: Divine Instructions

Countless laws exist in the world, but these ten commandments stand out. They weren’t just rules for a community; they were divine instructions meant to cultivate a holy people. Moses goes up Mount Sinai, meets God, and comes down with stone tablets. Picture that sense of sacred obligation, knowing what he’s carrying isn’t just legal guidelines but the principles for a faithful life.

This episode highlights how the Faith of Moses is not just reactive; it’s proactive. It’s about hearing from God and then turning around to ensure God’s commands are enacted. The journey of faith isn’t just about believing; it’s about translating that faith into action and community-building.

Challenges and Criticism: Faith Under Fire

Let’s face it, no leader, no matter how faithful, ever walked a smooth path. Moses had his fair share of critics—from among his own people, no less. Leading any group presents challenges, but try managing a huge, often-complaining crowd as Moses did.

His own family questions him at one point. Then there’s the incident of the golden calf, where the Israelites falter under peer pressure and idolatry. Yet Moses, despite being a lightning rod for their complaints, remains steadfast. He serves as an intermediary, a role that’s taxing yet pivotal. The Faith of Moses is an enduring reminder of the sacrifices leaders make, the criticisms they endure, and the strength they must foster to see beyond the immediate challenges.

Final Moments and Passing the Torch

Even the greatest leaders eventually pass the torch. Due to his own moment of disobedience, Moses doesn’t get to enter the Promised Land but sees it from a distance. There’s a poignant lesson here; sometimes, our faith lays the groundwork for others to build upon.

Moses’ passing of the torch to Joshua underscores that Faith of Moses isn’t solely about achieving personal outcomes but about paving the way for future generations. It’s a legacy of faith that influences beyond your own lifetime, a monumental takeaway for any believer.

Applying Moses’ Faith in Today’s World

Okay, so what? You’re not likely to part any seas on your way to work or lead a nation through a wilderness, but the principles still apply, don’t they? The Faith of Moses can be a blueprint for our own storms, our own “Red Seas” or periods in the desert. Moses’ life urges us to trust in God, even when logic fails us and roads seem blocked.

Here’s how you might put this faith into practice:

• Choose faith over fear when an unforeseen challenge arises.
• Remember past “Red Sea moments” where faith has led you through difficult times.
• Embrace vulnerability as part of faith, channeling your doubts into growth.
• Actively wait and trust in God’s timing, even during detours.

The Faith of Moses invites us to journey along a path of divine trust, courage, and action, echoing the steadfast journey Moses himself walked.

Do you see a bit of Moses in yourself? Maybe you’re on the brink of a tough decision, or you’re patiently hoeing the row during a long desert trek of your own. As you apply the Faith of Moses, remember that faith isn’t about having it all figured out, but about trusting the One who does.

Explore More

For further reading and encouragement, check out these posts:

👉 7 Bible Verses About Faith in Hard Times

👉  Job’s Faith: What We Can Learn From His Trials

👉 How To Trust God When Everything Falls Apart

👉 Why God Allows Suffering – A Biblical Perspective

👉 Faith Over Fear: How To Stand Strong In Uncertain Seasons

👉 How To Encourage Someone Struggling With Their Faith

👉 5 Prayers for Strength When You’re Feeling Weak

📘 Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery – Grace and Mercy Over Judgement
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