As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’ He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.

At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for by his family. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

Have you ever experienced a “turnaround” in life? Everything seems to be going in a good direction (family, work, church, investments, and personal freedom), and then, all of the sudden — everything changes. I have seen this happen in small ways throughout my life, and in a bigger way when my mom passed away.

Turnarounds can take us from comfortable to oppressed and are very hard to bear up under. Bitterness and resentment can creep in. Unforgiveness and anger can burn in our hearts and move us away from God.

As Stephen tells the story of the Jews after Joseph, he reminds his audience that, though all seemed set up perfectly for them to inherit the Promised Land, everything suddenly took a turn for the worse. “Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.” (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬) And so the parents were incredibly heartbroken.

It was at this time of incredible evil — infanticide — that Moses was born. He was hidden in his house, then placed in a basket in the river and followed by his older sister. She observed the daughter of the Pharaoh bathing with her attendants and the basket floated right to them. The Pharaoh's daughter saw the baby and adopted him as her own. As Stephen continues to tell this story, he points out the incredible education Moses received as a son of the daughter of the king (Pharaoh).

As I think about the setting for this wonderful story of deliverance, I wonder how many Israelites knew God was raising up and refining a powerful leader in Moses, while they were suffering under slavery to the Egyptians. It might have seemed as if God had abandoned them and his promise to Abraham?

When has it seemed as if God has abandoned me or forgot to provide for me? Do I know he loves me and is working things out in the long run for my best?

Lord, thank you for having a plan beyond my comprehension. Your plans are always so very good. Teach me to see you for the loving and great God that you are, and remind myself that your deliverance from the challenges of the day, month, or year are just around the corner.