Somebody said that, "The main lesson of history is that we do not learn the lessons of history!" Stephen, on trial for blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11), reminded his accusers of Moses' personal history – born under foreign rule, saved from infanticide, educated as a prince in Egypt, murdered an Egyptian, lost the confidence of his own people and fled for his life from Pharaoh's wrath, becoming a shepherd in Sinai, marrying the daughter of a pagan priest … and all by the age of 40 (Acts 7:20-29). Not a sparkling CV for one of Israel's most revered leaders.

Stephen moved the narrative on another 40 years. Moses, the 80 year-old disgraced shepherd, had probably lost all hope of being a part of God's plan. And yet God had slowly prepared His servant for the most dramatic rescue mission of the Old Testament: the liberation of some 3 million people from slavery in Egypt. These verses describe how God spoke directly to Moses. The flaming bush, which did not burn down, drew the old man's attention. He was aware that he was in the awesome presence of God. Like every person who knows that he or she is a sinner, Moses was afraid.

God announced Himself as the God of Moses' forefathers. Jacob (who God called 'Israel') and his sons (the first generation of the 'children of Israel') were led to Egypt by God. There, they multiplied greatly although they eventually became slaves. But God loved them and was grieved by His people's suffering (Exodus 3:7-8). So, after 430 years, the time had come for them to be set free to occupy the land God promised to Abraham: and God commissioned Moses to lead them out (Exodus 3:10). His real work started at age 80, because God's preparation of this sinful man took all of those 80 years, when Pharaoh's obstinacy had reached its peak (Romans 9:17-18).

God is not slow, but He waits until everything is prepared: then He will work through His servants. In those waiting times, do not fret about minutes wasted when God is counting years. Do not be tempted to assume that God does not know or care about your suffering, because He is bringing everything together to relieve it. Do not look at your past and assume that God cannot use you in the future. Do not let your response to God's commission be your own assessment of your strength and ability. God does rescue His people: do not be surprised how He does it, who He uses or when. Just keep trusting Him, despite suffering, until He reveals His powerful hand.