“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had told Moses” (Ex. 9:12).

God commanded Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh to demand the release of His people. He commanded this, knowing that each time they stood before the king, the king would say no. And Moses and Aaron went, knowing that each time they stood before the king, the king would say no.

Eleven times they demanded the release of the Israelites. Ten times they were rejected.

Doesn’t it seem strange that God would keep sending Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh, knowing that He was only going to harden Pharaoh’s heart anyway? Not if we understand obedience from God’s perspective. Obedience has nothing to do with the outcome, but it has everything to do with faith and trust in the One sending you.

There’s a well-known sermon illustration about a man whom God told to push a large boulder. The man kept pushing day after day out of obedience, but the rock never budged an inch. In complete despair, the man went to God and apologized for disappointing Him.

“I’ve failed You; I couldn’t move the rock,” the man said.

“Move the rock?” God responded. “I didn’t ask you to move the rock; only I can move the rock. I asked you to push the rock. You were obedient, and do you see how much stronger you are because of it?”

You see, God wasn’t disappointed in Moses and Aaron when Pharaoh turned them away. Each time they were obedient and “pushed the rock,” they were building their faith — their spiritual muscle — in the One who could move the rock.

Today, keep pushing the rock. Keep being obedient, and trust the Lord with the outcome.