He said to Abram, "Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years. I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth" Genesis 15:13–14 WEB.

God told Abram that his descendants would become slaves for four hundred years in a foreign land. But He would judge the nation that did this, and His descendants would come out with great possessions. This was later fulfilled entirely in the exodus from Egypt. It was a deliberate discipline that ended with a planned outcome. God knew how it would end hundreds of years before it began. He knows the end from the beginning.

Once I worked at a plant where the manager was much like a slave driver with a hangover. I ran a brass polishing machine all day in the heat while he watched us from an air-conditioned office. I silently prayed and listened to the Bible while buffing brass plumbing parts, trying to make the best of a bad situation. For me, it was a significant change from my last job, where I had been a supervisor. I earned one-third of the pay I used to, but I knew God had placed me here for a time.

That season humbled me, stripped away unnecessary things, and taught me to rely more on Him. It got me back to the basics and prepared me for His service. It became one of the most anointed seasons of my life. The plans of God have many layers, and not all of them make us comfortable. After a while, the owners removed the manager and promoted me to his position.

Pharaoh was not as in control of the situation as he thought. God knew what He was doing. When the time was right, He brought His plan to pass. God knew what He was doing in my life, and He currently knows what He is doing in your life. We just have to keep a positive attitude while waiting on Pharaoh to be taken care of.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me see my situation through Your eyes. I know that I am not here by accident and that You have plans for me. I submit to Your will. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.