“I Am the LORD”: Faith in the Middle of Discouragement

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Exodus 6:9–12

In Exodus 6, it’s easy to assume that God is only proving Himself to Pharaoh. After all, Pharaoh is the loudest opponent and the most obvious obstacle. But when we slow down and read carefully, we see something deeper unfolding.

God isn’t just revealing His power to Pharaoh.
He is revealing Himself to Israel.
And even to Moses.

After Moses delivers God’s promise of freedom, Scripture tells us:

“But they did not listen to Moses, because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.” (Exodus 6:9)

That verse hits close to home.

The Israelites didn’t refuse to listen because they were rebellious or disobedient. They didn’t listen because they were discouraged. Years of suffering had worn them down. Hope felt dangerous. Freedom sounded unrealistic. Their bondage was so heavy that even God’s promises couldn’t break through the fog of despair.

And Moses? The man who had already seen miracles. The man who had spoken with God face to face. Even he becomes discouraged when the people don’t believe.

“If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me?” (Exodus 6:12)

So God responds in a way that feels both firm and tender. He doesn’t argue. He doesn’t explain Himself away. He simply keeps repeating the truth:

“I am the LORD.”

Again and again.

God is teaching Moses—and Israel—who He is. Not because He is uncertain of His power, but because they are.

When Faith Feels Hard

This raises an uncomfortable but honest question for us today.

Why do we, who have the Bible, who know the stories, who have seen God move—why do we still struggle with faith?

The answer may be simpler than we think.

Like Israel, discouragement can make us spiritually deaf. Prolonged hardship can shrink our ability to imagine freedom. Familiarity with God can quietly replace awe. And when God doesn’t move when or how we expect, we mistake delay for absence.

But here is the beautiful truth I see in this passage:

God is not wavered by our unbelief.

He doesn’t say, “Well, since you don’t believe, I won’t act.”
He doesn’t withdraw His goodness.
He doesn’t cancel His promises.

He remains who He is.

God heard the cries of the Israelites long before this moment. His plan was already unfolding—even when they couldn’t see it, feel it, or believe it. Their disbelief didn’t stop His deliverance.

A Question for the Heart

As I read this passage, I can’t help but ask myself:

How long have I lived in discouragement and cruel bondage when I didn’t need to?

How often have I assumed that because God didn’t act immediately—or in the way I wanted—that He wasn’t acting at all?

This story reminds me that I can rest.
God is good.
God is powerful.
God is present.

He may not always move on my timeline. He may not answer in the way I expect. But He is still the same God who says:

“I am the LORD.”

And that is enough.

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