http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%201-3&version=NIV
As we move in to Exodus, we continue to see the story of God’ people in Egypt. With a new Pharaoh in charge, they went from being respected and honored to oppressed and enslaved. The Hebrew descendants living in Egypt were strong and numerous, and this worried the new Pharaoh, so he decided to oppress and enslave them. But God’s people cried out. They cried out and He heard their cry. The Hebrew people did not realize that God was already at work. His amazing providence brought forth a leader in Moses who God would use to deliver them from oppression.
In this passage of Exodus, God reminds us that He hears the cry of his people, that he is concerned and that he will deliver them from their suffering. Look at these four verses:
Exodus 2:24, “God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.”
Exodus 3:7, “The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering’.”
Exodus 3:9, God continues: “And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.”
Exodus 3:16 – 17, "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.'.”
That’s 4 times in a span of 19 verses. I think He really wants to make sure we get this. When we are suffering, He hears our cries. When we are burdened, He is concerned. When we are enslaved, He has a plan.
As we continue through the book of Exodus, we will journey with God’s people through the wilderness. But God has promised Moses in Exodus 3:12 that He will be with him every step of the way. God’s promise is the same for all of his children. Through our suffering, He is with us.
James 1:2-4 reminds us to rejoice in our sufferings because trials produce perseverance which allows us to mature and perfect our faith. The book of Job taught us to fall to our knees in worship when we are suffering. But don’t forget, if you are suffering, it’s okay to cry out to God. God wants us to approach Him with our troubles and lay them at his feet. We are to trust in him and pour our hearts before Him, our refuge (Psalm 62:8). We are to come to Him and he will give us rest, ease our troubles and refresh our souls (Matthew 11:28). He always hears our cries, He always is concerned, and He always has a plan – a plan that works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). God has whatever it is that we need when we are oppressed or enslaved. He can take care of our burdens and pains. Cry out to Him. He will meet you with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, peace, comfort, rest, healing and love.
Take a minute to reflect on your suffering. Don’t push it down deep and put on a happy face. Don’t minimize your suffering by comparing it with someone else’s suffering. Just reflect on your own burdens and cry out to Jesus. Is it an addiction that causes you to suffer? A husband that doesn’t show love for you? A loss of a loved one? Maybe loneliness? A longing for children or a husband? A sin that plants shame and disgust in your heart. Unemployment? Or you have a career but it’s not fulfilling? Betrayal by a loved one? Financial burdens? Whatever you struggle with, cry out to Jesus. Ask him to meet you in your suffering with his love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, peace, comfort, rest, healing and love.
There are so many truths in these first three chapters of Exodus. Feel free to click on the link at the bottom of the page to leave comments on the blog and share your insights. In the meantime, I leave you with the music of Third Day – Cry out to Jesus…
Todays post submitted by Kelly Coxe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRN_ApWyb94
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Unreasonable demands, oppression, and persecution can cause a great deal of suffering like what the Israelites had to endure at the hands of the Egyptians. Sometimes suffering is the result of someone else hurting us; however, it can also come from consequences of our own poor decisions. Take the parable of the prodigal son that Jesus spoke of. The prodigal son made poor decisions in his life that lead him down a path of misery and unimaginable low point in his life. However, he had the good sense to humble himself, confess his transgressions, seek forgiveness and turn his heart towards God, his father, and home. We serve a marvelous God who is able deliver us from bondage and restore our brokenness when go to Him in faith.
ReplyDeleteI love the topic you are writing about today. It has to be one of my most favorite aspects of God’s working in our life. In 2 Cor 1:3-4 it says: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
ReplyDeleteOur God is known as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Notice God will comfort us in ALL our tribulation even the ones we bring on ourselves.
When we feel like there is a storm raging in our life's circumstances; when we feel we have been beaten up emotionally: when we are going through a trial or a season of distress and troubles, our God is here to comfort us. Jesus is here to give us hope and to ease our pain. He will inspire us to new courage, hope and strength. God's heart is toward them that are in trouble! He is the Father of Mercies. What are we waiting for? Let’s enter into His presence to receive.
Amen brother Kirby :)
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