“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he hope for it? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it,” Romans 8:24-25.

God’s work in the world is timeless, yet it occurs in time. The past cannot confine or hinder God’s work. Men understand God by what they know of Him in the past not in the present.

Six times in today’s scripture reading God said, “I will…” (verses 1, 6, and 7). God spoke with power and authority to His people. Pharaoh tried to muster that same authority with his feeble ideology of “I will not…” He failed miserably because his only resource was his anti-God humanity. In verses 3-5, God confirmed His will by referring to His work in the past. He had performed all that He had spoken. This is the past.

But let us not forget another aspect of God’s work in the present, His declarations in verses 2, 6, 7, and 8 are also impressive: “I am the Lord.” He needed no other explanation for His sovereign will. After asserting “I will” six times in the text, He reminded Israel of His present work with these words: “I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

This was present tense, happening right then for them! Do you catch the beauty and comfort of those words? God’s work isn’t only future, based on His past mercies. His work is in progress now, though it may be unseen. God is not putting off His work. He is presently engaged in blessing each of His children right now. His work is as good as done, for He is doing it now! Humanly speaking, we just need to wait. Through the inspiration of faith and hope we see it as our present blessing. Don’t wait to see what God will do for you. Just trust Him because He is working it out for you.

(Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. is the pastor of Celebration Christian Center, Inc., located at 1215 9th Ave. N. Nashville, Tenn. 37208. You can contact the ministry at 615-613-7757 or online at www.celebrationchristian.online).