How seemingly unanswered prayers can lead to great testimonies

Exodus 3:10 NKJV –  “Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 

When Moses was met by God through the burning bush, he received a great message. He was told that he would be the one to set the people of Israel free from slavery to the Egyptians – slavery that had been going on for approximately 400 years. What a message! 

The fact that God chose to use a burning bush to speak to Moses showcased His power. A mass of twigs aflame yet not consumed? That’s amazing! So imagine how confused Moses must have felt when at his first meeting with Pharaoh, the leader of Egypt, he did not succeed. 

Exodus 5:1 NKJV – Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ 

Pharaoh did not let the people of Israel go at the first encounter; in fact, he chose to increase their workload (Exodus 5:6-9). Moses came back empty handed, and the people of Israel did not hold back on their words for (Exodus 5:21). 

I really feel for Moses because in verses 22 to 23, he expressed to God a feeling I think many of us have felt: disappointment and confusion. 

“Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.” 

How crushing it must have been for him. He saw God appear, speak, even worked miracles by the power of God, went in obedience but did not get what he was sent for. 

Let’s be clear, the people of Israel had been enslaved for about 400 years. That is dozens of generations living in slavery, the mantle of oppressor passed down from Pharaoh to Pharaoh. Breaking generations worth of captivity would take more than one meeting. Likewise, we may experience difficulties that have been ongoing for years; financial pressures, family strife, relationship stress. These are not necessarily issues that are always solved with one quick prayer. 

Jesus whilst on earth did many miracles. He healed the sick, cast out demons, restored humanity to God (John 21:25; Matthew 4:24). There is power in the name of Jesus to do awesome miracles (Acts 2:21). He is not incapable of working speedily and for the good of His children. However, there are some situations that take a little more time before they are solved. 

David had to fight many years before he became king despite God selecting him to be king at a young age (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 5:4) . Abraham had to wait before his son was born (Genesis 12:4; Genesis 21:5). It took Elizabeth and Zacharias, righteous servants, years before they had a child (Luke 1:5-25). Having to wait in prayer more than others does not make you less of God’s child. It makes you stronger and wiser. 

Moses’ interactions with Pharaoh show us that some situations require more frequency in prayer.

I love how in book of James, he gives us a clear idea of this truth: “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” – James 5:16. 

Did you catch that? “Fervent”, “righteous”, “avails”. To each and every person who has ever waited in the place of prayer for longer than they expected, your prayer avails much; your prayer makes a difference by the power of God. 

We see in Exodus chapter 6 the response of God to Moses’ very vulnerable and real Confession. He reminded him who He is and therefore the truth of His covenant. Further, we get an explanation later on as to why Moses didn’t succeed the first time he went to Pharaoh: God was going to showcase His power through him and the whole situation. 

Moses could have gone to Pharaoh in chapter 5, Pharaoh concede, and all the Israelites go free. But God chose to showcase His wonders. 

Exodus 7:3-5 NKJV: “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” 

As we journey through Exodus, we see how God showed Himself powerful and strong; turning water into blood, darkening the sky, splitting the sea, all to show His power.

As God did this, those who oppressed the children of Israel would have come to know that God is powerful. Moses had to keep going to Pharaoh, keep seeking God, keep encouraging the children of Israel all whilst God did the mighty work. 

We may pray and fast and have to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, and all the while it may look like nothing is happening. The children of Israel were still in bondage whilst the plagues went on. But God was still working.

Eventually, the people of Israel were set free (Exodus 12:31-36). Generations of slavery had finally come to an end.

God is still working for you. It will all come together at the right time and in His mercy, He will manifest your miracle. 

With love, Faith.