What to do when it costs more and takes longer than you thought

By Dean Collins

It always costs more and takes longer than you think. I have heard that many times, usually in reference to a construction project or the launch of a new business. Four decades of experience tell me that it applies to most aspects of life. Of course, it is not particularly fun to hear this when your needs are urgent!

Today’s text shows us the Israelites escaping from Egypt weren’t much on waiting or cost counting, either.

Seeking a better way

Moses had, by God’s power and plan, led more than a million of them from bondage in Egypt. God had protected his people and provided for their needs in the wilderness. Much of the Exodus story is back and forth with the Israelites questioning Moses, mumbling about their situation, and complaining about their leadership, mixed with outright defiance and even idolatry.

Chapter 32 of Exodus reveals how quickly the human tendency is to find a new way, seek a better god, or decide we are better off doing our own thing than following God’s plan. Moses had been on the mountain with God for 40 days. He was fasting and in ongoing prayer. We don’t know the entire conversation that happened behind the cloud, but we know enough. God gave Moses specific plans for the construction of the tabernacle and of all of the components of worship that were to be used in this facility of worship that would be the center of priestly activity and of worship.

I will confess the several chapters of design details are not my favorite chapters in scripture. However, I have often wished that when I am praying, God would be very specific with me. I would like more details concerning costs and timing and the particular avenues of funding. Many times I have thought that if I had a few more details from God, things would go quicker and more smoothly! I love a good mystery or problem to solve, but I do long for a resolution.

While Moses was in conversation with God, which was all for the good and the future of the Israelites, they were down below the mountain growing impatient. In their frustration that things had taken a month and a half, they decided to cash in and find themselves a new god: “Come on,” they said, ”make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.”

Wow. How quickly a leader’s credibility can crumble. And worse, how quickly one can forget the God who has saved and rescued you. And how quickly some leaders are to cave to the wishes of their followers. The children of Israel would quickly learn that appeasing the demands of the people may very well result in a longer and more painful wait.

Aware of the eventual outcome

The Israelites had been told what would happen. God promised he would lead them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land where there would be abundance. The quality of life difference between Egypt and the Promised land must have been forgotten as the Israelites chose to create their own pathway.

We also know our own eventual outcome. The scripture has told us:

“Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the presence of God forever” (Psalm 23:6).
“I will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6).
“He who began a good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6).
”He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 4:4).
“Look, I am making everything new!” (Revelation 4:5).

All of the above and dozens more examples in scripture remind us of God’s eventual outcomes for all of us and for all of his creation. These are God’s promises, and he is faithful and true.

More than we can imagine

Yes, it probably will take longer than you think and cost more than you imagined. But God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine. Our job is to trust him with all of our heart and quit trying to reason it all out; we will never be able to do that. God reveals our paths as we seek him, trust in his promises, and wait for the outcomes he has promised.

Lord, we are impatient. We confess our ongoing struggle to trust ourselves and others more than we trust you with both big and small things in our lives. We surrender to your plan and will wait and rest in you and you alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Your time with God’s Word
Exodus‬ ‭32, ‭NLT

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