It started with a promise to make one man into many. (Abraham – Genesis 12:2)
It continued with the same promise to Issac. (Genesis 26:4)
Finally, the promise of “many” would also come to Jacob (Genesis 28:14), and is reestablished here, in verse 4.
And now, over 200 years after the covenant was made with Abraham, the “many” belonging to Jacob, were heading into Egypt, numbering about 70.
Roughly 430 years later, they would be brought up from there as 600,000 men, plus their families (Exodus 12:37). They had been an enslaved and oppressed people, living as aliens in a foreign land, just as God said they would when He made the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:13).
God’s covenant promise came to pass during a long season of great difficulty.
And this is what I learn of God today – He is utterly faithful to keep His Word, but He is not faithful to keep my expectations of what it will look like.
We are being saved, and we will be resurrected. The Church will be presented without blemish. Weeping will cease. Evil will be vanquished. Christ will return. There will be a new heaven and a new earth.
Perhaps, we too are in a long season of great difficulty that is leading to the promise of God.
May we persevere. Continue in the faith. Keep doing what we’ve been called to do, even while we cry out “Come, Lord Jesus.” Let us not turn from the work of the Kingdom, or from our King, taken by surprise with the great difficulties that have come. They are part of the promise, so let us stand firm.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)
Karla Jo Wasion 