Hope Amid Adversity

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.”
(Exodus 1:11-12).

A seasonal ritual here in Chicago is finally wrapping up, where orange cones and detour signs dot the landscape throughout the warmer months. While the detours and delays can be frustrating, I’m always amazed to see the progression on the roadways even when I can’t see the immediate results day in and day out.

Those “Men at Work” signs are a powerful reminder to me that even in life, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes, even though I might not see it right away. Thankfully, God is constantly working in each of our lives to shape and equip us for the future, though sometimes it may seem hidden to us. We may even experience some disruptions or delays along the way, but ultimately, we’re being fashioned for something better down the road.

In the opening pages of Exodus, we quickly learn of the oppression faced by the Israelites as slaves in Egypt that seemed unbearable with forced labor and harsh treatment, but the stage was being set for something far greater to unfold. Despite their brutal conditions, this period is crucial for setting up the dramatic deliverance that would follow. God was preparing His people for their future role as a nation while also building their trust and dependence on Him. It’s a powerful reminder that even when we’re faced with adversity, God is still working to bring about His greater plan and purposes in and through us.

We also see that God uses everything in our past and present to prepare us for future opportunities and paths we may not have considered otherwise. This perspective can help us trust in a God whose work, both visible and invisible, transcends time and human understanding. Like the Israelites, our past struggles are not in vain but rather being woven into our current circumstances to shape us into the people God wants us to become.

If you’re struggling to recognize God’s work in your life, it may be time to shift your perspective and trust that God is at work preparing you for a future hope and deliverance.

Listen to the sermon: God At Work Behind the Scenes

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

Close to a year ago, Moody Bible Institute embarked upon a $30-million project to completely renovate the historic, 54-year-old Culbertson Hall on our Chicago campus. Affectionally known as “Culby,” the building is named after Dr. William Cullberton, Moody’s fifth President, who served from 1947 to 1970. Culby remains our largest residence hall and is one of three on the Chicago campus. IT’s been home to more than 20,000 male students (myself included!) since it was first commissioned in 1970.

I’m thrilled to announce that renovations were successful resulting in mechanical system upgrades and an overhaul of rooms, lobbies, kitchens, restrooms, and other spaces. Culby is now ‘open for business’ as they say and full of students! Praise God for His goodness and provision!

Learn more about the Historic Culbertson Hall Renovation