June 25, 2026
Thursday, June 25
Be honest: Before this week, could you have identified Shiphrah, Puah, or Jochebed? Perhaps you’re sharp enough to know that Miriam was Moses’ older sister, but even that would put you in a tiny minority of people. Yet without the courage and faith of those four women, plus the compassion of Pharaoh’s daughter, we would never have heard of Moses. My point is: We pay attention to the sensational miracles, the celebrated heroes. But behind every wonderful thing God does, there are many smaller miracles, many heroes who go largely unnoticed.
What can we learn from the story of Exodus 1-2? Three things…
First, we almost never see what God is up to when we’re in the middle of the story. In every great story, there’s a moment when things look so dark, the main characters think there’s no way for good to triumph. In The Shawshank Redemption, it’s when Red believes his best friend Andy has lost all hope of getting out of prison, and he’s taken a length of rope into his prison cell. In the Star Wars films, it’s when Darth Vader cuts off Luke’s hand and freezes Han Solo in carbonite. In fairy tales, it’s the moment when Snow White bites the poison apple, or Princess Aurora pricks her finger on the enchanted spindle. If you know those stories, you’re in an interesting position. You’d love to be able to tell the characters in the stories, “Don’t worry! It’s all going to work out!”
Unlike human authors of fictional stories, I don’t think God controls every action of His characters (ie, you and me). But whatever we do, His story always ends in redemption. Nothing can stop that. You might say, “I’m not a character in a movie or a fairy tale.” Neither were those midwives, who had to decide whether to risk their lives for what was right. Neither was Jochebed, when she put her precious baby into a river, praying someone kind would find him. Neither was Pharaoh’s daughter, when she dared to bring a Hebrew baby home to the palace, or little Miriam, when she found the boldness to address the princess of a Kingdom that hated her people. You don’t know what God is up to. You will see someday, and you’ll rejoice. But until then, don’t give up. I think He’s earned our trust.
“Lord, I am in the middle of this story. You know the end, but I don’t. When I get discouraged, keep reminding me that your plan is for good, and it cannot be stopped. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
