The Means Justifies the End
While we are preoccupied with getting results, God is preoccupied with how the results were obtained.
This morning, my thoughts revolved around Moses and why he had to go through all the stress he went through to deliver the people of Israel from the bondage of Egypt.
It seems to me that it was needless, prolonged and too difficult.
It would perhaps have been easier if he kept on growing his influence in the palace of Egypt then used it to set his people free. After all, he was like a prince in the palace. Who knows whether that was even the reason he was privileged to come into the palace in the first place.
Someone like Esther was brought into the palace to prevent the genocide Haman was planning against the Jews. Joseph was brought into the palace so he could use his influence to save his people from the impact of the famine.
So, why will Moses choose to give up all that and take the difficult route?
Hebrews 11:24-27 says,
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible" NKJV.
So, Moses’ experience was more a product of choice rather than circumstances. He chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God”. He decided to live outside of palace and work for the deliverance of his people instead of using his influence from the palace.
As I was thinking about this, I am reminded of a profound principle that I learnt some time ago:
While we are preoccupied with getting results, God is preoccupied with how the results were obtained. He is looking at the method used in getting the result.
The end doesn't always justify the means with God.
Moses may indeed deliver God's people from the palace of Egypt but will it honour and glorify God? Will God identify with it? Will the story of Moses even make it to the Bible in the first place if he had followed his own method?
Remember that at some point Moses indeed brought out water from the rock but because he didn't do it God's way, he suffered serious consequences. He was denied entry into the promised land.
It's not just about getting deliverance, it is important to pay attention to how it is obtained. The fact that someone got it from the palace doesn't mean ours will come from there.
Our goal should be on God's glory, on honouring God with our lives. We should think about posterity, not just the present.
Don't look to the palace if God is not planning to help you from there. Maximize everything you can get from the palace if that is how God planned to help you. In all you do, ensure that God is honoured and glorified.
The end doesn't always justify the means especially with it has to do with God.
© Olufemi Babalola