God’s Deliverer

When God Seems Silent

What is the Bible about? If you were with us back in 2021 when we walked through The Story, you know the answer: the Bible is about God’s redemption—His rescue—of His good creation. Genesis opens with the beauty of creation in chapters 1 and 2, then traces the tragic arc of human rebellion and corruption in chapters 3–11. But in Genesis 12, we discover God’s rescue plan: a man named Abram (later Abraham) and his descendants. The rest of Genesis follows Abraham’s family to Egypt, where God saves them from famine and blesses them.

That brings us to Exodus, the second book of the Bible and a cornerstone of Scripture. Exodus is more than a story of deliverance—it’s the story of how God comes to dwell with His people. Its images and themes echo throughout the New Testament, making it essential reading for anyone who wants to understand God’s redemptive work.

Through it all, one truth remains: God is faithful to His people, no matter what. God takes the initiative to save, to rescue, and He keeps His promises.

The Stage Is Set

Before diving into Exodus 1–2, we need to remember how Israel ended up in Egypt. Genesis 37–50 focuses on Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son. Joseph was sold into slavery, ended up in Egypt, and through God’s empowerment, saved Egypt and his family during a worldwide famine. That’s why Abraham’s descendants are in Egypt rather than the Promised Land when Exodus begins.

God’s Faithfulness in Oppression (Exodus 1:1–14)

The book opens with God’s faithfulness: He multiplies Israel, just as He promised in Genesis. But Pharaoh—who saw himself as god—opposes this blessing. He imposes hard labor, forcing the Israelites to build cities for his glory rather than live for God’s.

This sets up the central conflict of Exodus: God blessing while the powers of this world oppress. Notice this crucial point: God’s faithfulness isn’t shown by immediate deliverance—it’s shown in blessing amid hardship. He doesn’t remove oppression immediately, but He sustains Israel with children and resources. God’s faithfulness isn’t only in dramatic miracles—it’s in the small, everyday ways that allow His people to live faithfully in a hostile world.

The Courage to Fear God (Exodus 1:15–22)

God’s covenant blessing continues to be children. Pharaoh (representing the gods of the world) tries to destroy that blessing—killing the boys and enslaving the girls to erase Israel’s identity.

But God’s blessing shows up in courage. Two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, fear God more than Pharaoh. They refuse to kill the boys, and God blesses them. Throughout history, God raises up courageous people to carry out His mission.

Even when Pharaoh escalates, commanding all boys be thrown into the Nile, God preserves His people. He is faithful. That doesn’t mean He immediately changes the circumstances. Like Shiphrah and Puah, we are called to be bold and courageous, faithful through hardship.

God Prepares a Deliverer (Exodus 2:1–10)

After 400 years, God gives the deliverer—but this is unknown to the Israelites. Moses’ birth doesn’t immediately change their oppression. Yet in the midst of Pharaoh’s decree, God provides a way for the deliverer to be protected and prepared.

Here’s a key truth: your circumstances are not necessarily your preparation. God was protecting Moses, while the rest of Israel had to remain faithful. Don’t give up on God because He hasn’t given you a “Moses assignment.” Stay faithful through the oppression, and you will experience His provision.

Moses: A Man Between Worlds (Exodus 2:11–25)

Moses grew up knowing his Hebrew heritage and had  a spirit of justice in his heart—but that spirit showed up wrongly when he killed an Egyptian. He didn’t earn acceptance from his people; he fled to Midian. There, his sense of justice was redirected, and he learned the humility of a shepherd. Yet he remained a man searching for identity—a foreigner in a foreign land.

More time passes as God prepares for the right moment. God doesn’t meet our time expectations, but He is still at work. Did God forget His covenant with Abraham until Israel cried out? No. The first chapters of Exodus remind us that God was faithful all along—waiting until the stage was set for a showdown with the gods of the world.

Keep your eyes on God’s blessings, because He works in all circumstances—even oppression, sickness, and hardship. We might miss His blessings if we assume He is obligated to act according to our timetable.

When God Feels Silent

In January 2021, my Uncle Tim was dying from melanoma and a brain tumor. We prayed earnestly for healing. That miracle never came. One week later, my Grandpa Steele died. No rescue. No dramatic deliverance. No Exodus moment.

So what do we do when God seems silent? When the sea doesn’t part? When Egypt is where we remain?

That following Sunday in church my Grandma Steele stood up during prayer time and said, “I thank God for heaven.”

This is similar to the answer we find in Hebrews 11:39–40: 

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”

God does not always rescue His people from hardship—but He always remains faithful through it. Israel waited 400 years. God was blessing them, but not yet delivering them. Faithfulness isn’t measured by how quickly circumstances change; it’s measured by His presence, provision, and promises—even when outwardly nothing seems different.

The Waiting Generations

God is at work even when He seems silent. We want to be the Exodus generation—the ones who see the plagues, the parted sea, the victory song. But most of us are part of the waiting generations—living faithfully, raising children, fearing God, resisting evil, trusting His promises without seeing rescue. And Scripture says faith still matters.

This week, the challenge is simple: be faithful where God has placed you, whether or not rescue comes. Fear God more than Pharaoh. Look for His blessings amid hardship. Trust that He is at work, even when you don’t see deliverance. Stay obedient, courageous, and faithful.

You may not be Moses. You may be Shiphrah or Puah. You may be an unnamed Israelite building bricks in the sun. But God sees you. He remembers His covenant. And He is at work.

A Final Word

Silence does not mean absence. Waiting does not mean forgotten. Faithfulness is never wasted in the hands of a faithful God. The same God working quietly in Exodus 1 is the God who acts powerfully in Exodus 14—and He is the same God we serve today.

As you reflect, respond in three ways: thank God for your blessings, ask for strength to remain faithful, and pray that He preserves His people. And if God is calling you to follow Jesus, don’t wait. Now is the time.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Whose Moral Lens Are We Using?

ICE, Politics, and Following Jesus

I want to ask you a question: What if the reason we can’t agree on what’s happening around us isn’t because one side is moral and the other isn’t—but because we’re using different moral lenses to see the world?

Jonathan Haidt’s work on moral foundations, which he lays out in The Righteous Mind, has been helpful for me in moments like this. He argues that we hold different moral values, which leads us to weigh situations differently. For instance, conservatives tend to emphasize values like authority, order, and rule of law. Liberals, on the other hand, tend to emphasize compassion, care, and protection from harm. When a political issue flares up, both sides often believe they hold the moral high ground, when in reality they are interpreting the same situation through different frameworks.

This moral matrix helps me understand the very different responses we’re seeing in the current conversations about ICE operating here in Minnesota.

Many conservatives are viewing this through the lens of authority: laws exist, laws are broken, and the government has the responsibility to enforce them. From that perspective, ICE activity is not only justified—it’s necessary. Many liberals, on the other hand, are viewing this through the lens of compassion: entire communities are living in fear, families are anxious, and people who have done nothing wrong feel targeted simply because of who they are or where they’re from. From that perspective, something is deeply wrong.

Both sides are making moral judgments. Both believe they are right. And both are, at least in part, talking past each other. Part of having an actual discussion is taking time to understand the other person’s position. Too often, we are busy forming our next point or waiting for a gotcha moment, and we miss what the other person is actually saying—let alone respecting them enough to truly understand their concerns. This is why our political discussions so often feel more like debates than conversations.

But here’s where this becomes more than a theoretical discussion for me.

Recently, I attended an event with the Burmese church we partner with. At one point, several people showed us their passports and immigration documents—papers they are now carrying with them at all times. These are men and women who are here legally, many of whom have gone through the long process of becoming citizens. And yet they are genuinely afraid that if they are stopped without documentation on hand, they could be detained or taken away.

This isn’t an abstract policy debate. These are real people. Neighbors. Brothers and sisters in Christ. People who are innocent of any wrongdoing, living with a constant, low-level fear that shapes how they move through daily life.

So what are we, as followers of Jesus, supposed to do?

First, we need to remember that while we are citizens of a country, we are not required to baptize every action of the government. Supporting law and order does not mean suspending discernment. Scripture reminds us that our ultimate loyalty lies elsewhere: “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).  Conservatives, especially, would do well to apply the same healthy suspicion to ICE operations that they often apply to other federal agencies—whether it’s the Department of Education, the FDA, or public health authorities during COVID. Questioning how power is exercised is not rebellion; it’s wisdom. Liberals, on the other hand, need to resist the temptation to assume that good intentions automatically lead to good outcomes. Helping immigrants maintain dignity  also requires careful attention to how policies are implemented, funded, and handled at the local level.

Second, we must take seriously the biblical mandate to love our neighbor. Scripture is uncomfortably clear on this point. God’s people are repeatedly called to care for the foreigner, the sojourner, and the vulnerable—not because of their legal status, but because of God’s character. “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself” (Leviticus 19:34). We may have limited influence over what the government does, but we have tremendous influence over how we treat the immigrant and refugee who lives next door. Whether someone is here legally or not, our calling remains the same: love them, help them, and show them Jesus.

Third, we pray. Not as a last resort, but as an act of allegiance. We pray for wisdom as we navigate turbulent political waters. We pray for guidance in how to love faithfully and courageously. We pray for understanding—of our neighbors, of our own blind spots, and of where God is calling us to stand and act.

As Christians, we cannot afford to be swept along by the political winds of our culture. When our instincts, reactions, and talking points sound indistinguishable from Republicans or Democrats, something has gone wrong. Our primary citizenship is not red or blue—it is rooted in our allegiance to King Jesus and being citizens of the Kingdom of God.

That allegiance must shape how we see, how we speak, and how we love. And in moments like this, it may mean refusing the false choice between authority and compassion, choosing instead the narrow and demanding way of Jesus.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Be the Good. Enjoy the Good.

It is true that we live in a sin-corrupted world. We don’t have to look far to see it—headlines filled with violence, social media arguments that divide more than they connect, and the personal struggles that weigh on our hearts. The Bible is clear that creation itself is groaning under the weight of sin (Romans 8:22). Brokenness touches every part of life. We feel it in our relationships, in our work, and even within ourselves. It’s easy to become cynical, to assume that everything is bad and everyone is selfish.

Yet that’s not the full story. Before sin entered the world, God created a good world. Over and over again in Genesis 1, God looked at what He made and declared it good. The world was filled with beauty, harmony, and purpose. Human beings were designed to live in loving relationship with God, with one another, and with creation itself. That goodness was not completely erased by sin—it was corrupted, yes, but not destroyed. God’s fingerprints are still visible all around us, and His image remains in the people He made.

This means that even in a fallen world, goodness still shines through. When a parent comforts a hurting child, when friends laugh together over a meal, when a community rallies to help someone in need—those moments remind us that the light has not been extinguished. The goodness we experience is a reflection of God’s enduring grace. As James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above.”

But there’s another side to this truth: we are called to be part of that goodness. In a world that often amplifies anger, fear, and division, followers of Jesus are called to embody His love and bring light to dark places. Jesus told His disciples, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). That means the way we speak, serve, forgive, and care for others can reveal God’s goodness to those who’ve forgotten it exists.

Being the good doesn’t mean pretending the bad isn’t real. It means standing firm in the hope that goodness is stronger than evil, because God is still at work redeeming His creation. It’s showing kindness when others are harsh, choosing honesty when deceit would be easier, and practicing gratitude when life feels unfair. Each small act of goodness pushes back against the darkness and points toward the Kingdom that is coming.

And as we be the good, we must also learn to enjoy the good. Many of us are quick to serve but slow to rest. We rush past moments of beauty without taking them in. Yet part of living faithfully in a broken world is learning to receive and celebrate the good gifts God still gives. Savoring a sunset, sharing a meal with loved ones, or enjoying a moment of laughter are not trivial pleasures—they are reminders of God’s ongoing grace and the promise that one day all things will be made new.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:8 to think about whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. In other words, fix your heart on what reflects God’s goodness. When we do that, our perspective changes. We become people who see not only the sin that corrupts the world but also the grace that sustains it.

So today, remember this: the world may be broken, but it’s not beyond hope. God’s goodness is woven into the very fabric of creation, and His Spirit is still at work bringing redemption and renewal. Let your life be a reflection of that goodness.

Be the good. Enjoy the good. And trust that one day, the world will be good again.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Sunday Prayer: Enduring Troubles

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Gracious Father,

We come to You with hearts that choose joy, even when the road is hard. You see the trials we are enduring, and You remind us that they are not forever. Help us to trust that in spite of these trials there is a joy greater than our pain and a hope that cannot be taken away.

When our faith is tested, mold us into the people You desire us to be. Like gold purified by fire, shape our hearts through these struggles so that what remains is genuine, strong, and pleasing to You. When doubts rise and weariness sets in, anchor us in the truth that our faith is far more precious than anything this world can offer.

Give us endurance to remain strong, courage to keep believing, and eyes to see how You are at work even now. May our lives, tested and proven through trial, bring praise, glory, and honor to You. And may we live in hopeful expectation of the day when Jesus Christ is revealed in all His glory.

We place our trust in You, knowing You are faithful to finish the work You have begun.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.









Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

The Bible Is for Transformation, Not Ammunition

“If we primarily use the Bible to have the right answers, to win arguments, and to point out other people’s sin then we are using the Bible wrong. The Bible should help form us into the people God created us to be.”

I posted this thought to X a few months ago, and the more I have pondered this, the more I realize how easy it is for us as Christians to misuse God’s Word. The Bible is a great gift He has given us for knowing His heart and character, yet we often reduce it to a weapon in theological debates, a tool to shame others, or a way to reinforce our own sense of being right.

But Scripture was never meant to be reduced to ammunition. It was given for transformation.

The Danger of Using the Bible Wrong

When Jesus confronted the Pharisees, He didn’t condemn them for ignoring Scripture; He rebuked them for misusing it. They had mastered the text. They could quote the Law and the Prophets. They even prided themselves on being defenders of truth. But in their zeal for knowledge and authority, they missed the very purpose of God’s Word: to point them to the Messiah and shape them into people of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

If we treat the Bible only as a source of information or as a tool for argument, we can fall into the same trap. We might win the debate but lose sight of the call to love. We might expose someone else’s sin but ignore the pride or anger in our own hearts. We might be “right” and still be wrong.

The Bible’s True Purpose

Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (CSB) that all Scripture is “inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Notice the emphasis—Scripture corrects us, trains us, equips us, and completes us. Its aim is not simply knowledge, but formation.

God gave us the Bible so that through it we could be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. This should not surprise us, sin corrupts the image of God in us, and Jesus came to undo the work of Satan and restore God’s image. So every page whispers God’s story of redemption and invites us to live differently because of it.

• The Psalms train our hearts to worship and trust God in every season.
• The Gospels call us to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, imitating His love and humility.
• The Prophets challenge us to pursue justice and care for the vulnerable.
• The Epistles guide us in living as a Spirit-filled community, marked by grace and holiness.

The Bible is not just about knowing the truth—it is about becoming people of truth.

How We Can Use the Bible Right

How can we stop using the Bible as ammunition in debates and start receiving it as a source of transformation?

• Read to be formed, not just informed. Ask not only “What does this mean?” but “How does this shape me?”
• Invite the Spirit to search your heart. Instead of using the Bible to diagnose other people’s sins, allow it to confront your own.
• Practice what you read. James warns us not to be hearers of the Word only, but doers (James 1:22). Each passage invites us into obedience.
• See Jesus at the center. All of Scripture points us to Christ (Luke 24:27). If our reading does not draw us closer to Him, we are missing the point.

Becoming the People God Created Us to Be

At its core, the Bible is God’s story shaping our story. It reveals who He is and who we are meant to be in Him. When we approach it humbly, not as a weapon but as a word of life, we begin to see the Spirit forming us into people of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

That’s the goal—not winning arguments, not proving ourselves right, but becoming more like Jesus.

So let’s commit to reading the Bible the right way: not for ammunition, but for transformation.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.