Each day this month, we will consider key moments in God’s glorious plan to redeem us. We will understand both the overarching story of God and the highlights of all he’s done for us in Christ.
God wanted a people of his own through whom he would bless the earth and provide a remedy for humankind’s separation from him. That nation began with a man, Abraham, and grew into a family. A severe famine drove Abraham’s family to Egypt, where the 11th son of Jacob, Joseph, had a position second only to Pharaoh in power and influence. Under his protection, the family settled in Egypt and prospered.
At first, Egypt provided God’s people a place of protection, plenty, and productivity, but eventually the Egyptians enslaved these immigrants. God noticed, and he cared.
God chose Moses to deliver his people. Although raised in the privilege of the Egyptian royal court, Moses later chose to identify as a Hebrew. When he realized that people knew he had murdered an Egyptian, he fled and became a wandering shepherd. Then God told Moses that he’d noticed the suffering of his people.
“I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings… Come, I will send you” (Exodus 3:7,10, English Standard Version).
Notice the sympathy of God. He sees, hears, and knows his people and compassionately initiates a rescue plan.
**Does God see our misery? Does God hear our cries for help? Does God know about our pain? **
Like all people, we suffer the consequences of our sin and the sins of others against us. God knows, he understands, and he acts to deliver us.
Just as God raised up Moses to lead his people from bondage to blessing in the Promised Land, God raised up Jesus to rescue us from the consequences and power of sin. When we follow the One whom God sends, we experience the deliverance and blessings of a God who sees, hears and knows.
_Father, thank you for sending Jesus among us to live a human life so he could fully understand our weakness and our suffering. Thank you that you do see all we go through, and that you deliver us from the punishment, power, and ultimately, from the very presence of sin and evil. _
Throughout This Day: Remind yourself often that God sees and understands everything you and others are going through. Invite him to show you anyone around you who needs encouragement or prayer today.
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