We cannot be overcomers without trouble to overcome. There are days that I wish I did not have to deal with difficulties. If I had to choose between something easy and something difficult, most of the time I would choose easy.
But how shallow and inexperienced would my faith be if this was always the case? I heard a man, wise in his words and rich in experience, speak one single sentence that challenged me.

'A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.'

That's all I remember him saying. Nothing else. He did, in fact, say other things, I just don't remember them. I remember that one sentence and the result of his faith. He was from India, came to study in the U.S. and then he returned to his country to begin to change things. And he is still changing things there to this day...building centers to train pastors to go out and be catalysts in this generation.

As I read through the first chapter of the book of Exodus this morning, I was reminded of him and the one sentence that challenged and shaped my faith.

Shiphrah and Puah, you remember them, right? You do remember their heroic defiance of a kingdom that 'gave birth' to God's plan, right?

No. Are you sure?
(Exodus 1:12; 15-21)

Most people will never know of the things you do, but whenever we choose to partner with God and overcome difficult situations with the strength and faith he gives us, we grow both in the present and our hope in the future.

The things that you do today in obedience help give birth to God's plans for tomorrow. We don't shrink back in adversity. We move forward not only in faith, but in obedience to what God's calling you to do.

So the significance of Shiphrah and Puah obedience?

Enter Moses.