March 12th, 2024
Written By: Tabitha White
Have you ever been reading a portion of Scripture that you have read over and over, and suddenly a verse that you have skimmed over before jumps off of the page at you? That’s exactly what happened to me as I was studying for our Revival Kids lesson a few weeks ago. I was reading the story of Moses and the burning bush, and then I came to Exodus 3:7-8a which says:
“Then the LORD told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians“
I know that I have read this verse quite a few times in my life, but this time was different. It felt like a spotlight was shining on specific words in the verse. Let’s look at this verse again, but in smaller pieces.
“Then the LORD told him, ‘I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt.’”
God had seen the oppression that the Israelites were enduring. In our minds, we know that God always sees us. He is omnipresent, so He is everywhere. Of course, He always sees us, but imagine that you are one of the Israelites. You have lived in slavery for your entire life. According to Exodus 1:11, the Egyptians were “brutal slave drivers” that forced the Israelites into “crushing labor.” Would you have thought that God saw you being oppressed, or would you have thought that He had possibly forgotten about you? Let’s keep reading.
“I have heard their cries of distress…”
God did not only see the Israelites, but He also heard their cries, or prayers, to Him. God heard every single prayer that the Israelites prayed. In 1 Peter 3:12, we are promised, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” Even when it felt like their prayers weren’t being heard, God was listening to every single one. The verses continue and say,
“Yes, I am aware of their suffering…”
We have all been taught that God is omniscient, which means that He literally knows everything. He knew that the people were suffering. He knew what each day would hold for them as a people, but also as individuals. He knew, and He cared! How do we know that He cared? Look what comes next.
“So I have come down to rescue them…”
God saw their oppression. He heard their cries of distress. He was aware of all of their suffering, and He came down to rescue them! The God that created the universe was so moved with compassion that He stepped into the lives of the Israelites and saved them from slavery. At the same time that they were most likely feeling forgotten, God was raising Moses up to become the person that would lead them out of Egypt. He was working behind the scenes for an entire country, and they had no idea!
Our never-changing God is doing the same things for us today! He sees you! He hears your prayers! He knows every detail of your life! And He is working behind the scenes, even when it doesn’t feel like it! In Romans 8:28, God promises that He “causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” When you are feeling alone or forgotten, or when you feel like you are living in a hard season, remember the Israelites. God’s compassion moved Him to rescue them from slavery, part the Red Sea, and bring manna from heaven and water from a rock. When the devil tries to come to discourage you this week, I want you to remember that the same God is working on your behalf even as you are reading this because He promises that He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever!
Have you ever been reading a portion of Scripture that you have read over and over, and suddenly a verse that you have skimmed over before jumps off of the page at you? That’s exactly what happened to me as I was studying for our Revival Kids lesson a few weeks ago. I was reading the story of Moses and the burning bush, and then I came to Exodus 3:7-8a which says:
“Then the LORD told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians“
I know that I have read this verse quite a few times in my life, but this time was different. It felt like a spotlight was shining on specific words in the verse. Let’s look at this verse again, but in smaller pieces.
“Then the LORD told him, ‘I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt.’”
God had seen the oppression that the Israelites were enduring. In our minds, we know that God always sees us. He is omnipresent, so He is everywhere. Of course, He always sees us, but imagine that you are one of the Israelites. You have lived in slavery for your entire life. According to Exodus 1:11, the Egyptians were “brutal slave drivers” that forced the Israelites into “crushing labor.” Would you have thought that God saw you being oppressed, or would you have thought that He had possibly forgotten about you? Let’s keep reading.
“I have heard their cries of distress…”
God did not only see the Israelites, but He also heard their cries, or prayers, to Him. God heard every single prayer that the Israelites prayed. In 1 Peter 3:12, we are promised, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” Even when it felt like their prayers weren’t being heard, God was listening to every single one. The verses continue and say,
“Yes, I am aware of their suffering…”
We have all been taught that God is omniscient, which means that He literally knows everything. He knew that the people were suffering. He knew what each day would hold for them as a people, but also as individuals. He knew, and He cared! How do we know that He cared? Look what comes next.
“So I have come down to rescue them…”
God saw their oppression. He heard their cries of distress. He was aware of all of their suffering, and He came down to rescue them! The God that created the universe was so moved with compassion that He stepped into the lives of the Israelites and saved them from slavery. At the same time that they were most likely feeling forgotten, God was raising Moses up to become the person that would lead them out of Egypt. He was working behind the scenes for an entire country, and they had no idea!
Our never-changing God is doing the same things for us today! He sees you! He hears your prayers! He knows every detail of your life! And He is working behind the scenes, even when it doesn’t feel like it! In Romans 8:28, God promises that He “causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” When you are feeling alone or forgotten, or when you feel like you are living in a hard season, remember the Israelites. God’s compassion moved Him to rescue them from slavery, part the Red Sea, and bring manna from heaven and water from a rock. When the devil tries to come to discourage you this week, I want you to remember that the same God is working on your behalf even as you are reading this because He promises that He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever!
Posted in Church, Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Jesus Christ, Kingdom, Reflection, Strength
Tagged with God, Encouragement, Jesus, Church
Tagged with God, Encouragement, Jesus, Church
1 Comment
Thank you Pastor Tabitha