Today we are reading Exodus 5. In this chapter we read about Pharaoh’s initial reaction to Moses and Aaron’s request for freedom. “Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.” The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, “You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.” They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.”” Exodus 5:15-23 ESV The plan seems to have backfired. Why are we surprised when we encounter difficulty in serving the Lord? We are clearly the enemy of the devil. He wants to destroy us and opposes everything we attempt for Jesus. Have you been in that position? You start out to do something big for the Lord and the next thing you know a myriad of little things make it more challenging. Every time we lead a mission trip we experience these things. How do you push through? What is your strategy to persevere? May God watch over you and all your loved-ones! Pastor Tim