Desperation Births the Beautiful

By Norma Miller

November 1, 2018

I read a well-known story to my children last night. It is my youngest son’s favorite Bible story: the story of baby Moses. 

This little guy didn’t pick the best time to make an appearance into the world. He was conceived at a time when Hebrew parents didn’t exactly want to be having babies. If you remember the story, the pharaoh had just decided there were too many Hebrews around for his liking, and he ordered that all the baby boys should be put to death.

I really, really cannot begin to imagine the incredible angst these parents went through, especially the mothers, when they found out they were pregnant, had their babies, tried to keep them a secret, and then had their baby boys ripped from their arms and put to death! Desperation does weird things to a person. It can make you go wild with fear. Imagine with me for a moment how the enemy may have used this. Is it possible some people committed abortion or killed their own babies to avoid having them taken away? I don’t know, but it is possible. Parents will take desperate measures to protect their children, and fear can cause you to not be able to think clearly.

Well, the mother of Moses, Jochebed, was a desperate mother. Like many before her and, I am sure, many after her, she hid her baby. It is very difficult, though, to hide a squirming, crying little bundle, as you know, and Jochebed was very determined to not have Moses found. She must have prayed earnestly for wisdom. She was a wise, courageous mother, and her tears and cries were heard by God, who gave her the wisdom to make a little boat and float her baby at the edge of the Nile River, which, by the way, was loaded with crocodiles. People bathed there, too. This probably didn’t feel so safe either.

She had her daughter hide in the rushes to keep a close eye on the baby and let her know what happened, and then she went home and, I’m sure, cried a lot more, pouring out her heart to the One who made all mothers’ hearts, and the only One who could hear her desperation. Her tears and painful desperation were not in vain, and they birthed a most beautiful redemptive story; not only was her precious baby saved, but she got him back and got paid to take care of him, too! Wow! What an incredible answer to a very desperate prayer! Moses went on to become a very powerful leader who led God’s people out of Egypt, through a long journey in the wilderness, to their promised land for which they had hoped, wept, and sighed for many years.

Sweet woman today, are you in a desperate place? Have you been weeping and weary before God, seeking His face and begging for your answer? Have you been crying out for your miracle? I want you to know that those tears are heard by an Almighty God who put those womanly dreams, goals, and desires in your heart, and who is so not okay with your heart being crushed by the weight of sadness and cares and plans gone awry, and dreams scattered to the wind. He is a kind and faithful Father who is a miracle-working, way-making, promise-keeping, chain-breaking God. He sees your tears, hears your cries, and loves to make beautiful things out of our ugly messes and joyful surprises out of our crushed dreams. He is there, right now, a very real Presence in the midst of your pain and sorrow. He is a God who makes great things come out of desperation. He is waiting to make all things beautiful in His time. We do need to trust His good intentions toward us and give Him a chance, but He will come through. That is His amazing and infinite nature. Run to Him with courage and boldness, Woman of God. He will come through; He will come through!

— Norma Miller

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