Letting Go

Letting Go

My Question for God

How can I do better at letting go of certain things and trusting God with them?

A Moment with God

Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River. But you may let the girls live.” . . . About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River. The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him. Soon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the river, and her attendants walked along the riverbank. When the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it for her. When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said. Then the baby’s sister approached the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” she asked. “Yes, do!” the princess replied. So the girl went and called the baby’s mother. “Take this baby and nurse him for me,” the princess told the baby’s mother. “I will pay you for your help.” So the woman took her baby home and nursed him.

Exodus 1:22; 2:1-9

Pharaoh’s decree meant that all the Hebrews’ male children were in danger and would die. Moses’ parents cared for him as long as they could, so that he had some strength, but then they had to literally let him go and entrust him to God’s care as they placed him in the basket. They showed us how to let go and trust God in situations that are beyond our control. We do what we know is right to do for as long as we can, and then we trust God to take it from there. The more we try to control a situation, the less we hold on to God. Letting go means that sometimes we serve God when we obediently stand and watch. Moses’ mother let go of her baby’s basket on the water, but she did not let go of her care and concern for him. Because she was alert and prepared, God gave her the opportunity to do more than she ever could have hoped for. Letting go does not mean giving up. It means watching for God’s next move. So if God says stand and watch him work, we stand and watch him work. If he says move, then we move with him! Both are equal in obedience and service.

Divine Promise

[The Lord said,] “Call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”

Psalm 50:15