Many of
us face the challenge of working with limited resources. Equipped with less
money, less time, dwindling energy, and fewer helpers, our workload may remain
the same. Sometimes, it even increases. There’s a saying that sums up this
predicament: “More bricks, less straw.”
This
phrase refers to the Israelites’ hardship as slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh decided
to stop supplying them with straw, yet he required them to make the same number
of bricks each day. They scoured the land to find supplies, while Pharaoh’s
overseers beat them and pressured them to work harder (Ex. 5:13). The
Israelites became so discouraged that they didn’t listen when God said through
Moses, “I will rescue you . . . , and I will redeem you with an outstretched
arm” (6:6).
Although the Israelites refused to hear God’s message, God was still guiding and directing Moses, preparing him to speak to Pharaoh. God remained firmly on Israel’s side—at work behind the scenes. Like the Israelites, we can become so downhearted that we ignore encouragement. In dark times, it’s comforting to remember that God is our deliverer (Ps. 40:17). He is always at work on our behalf, even if we can’t see what He is doing.
