SCRIPTURE: Exodus 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act. [Exodus 2:24-25] Don’t misread this verse, God has not been passive up until this point. Behind the scenes, in the midst of this horrible period of infanticide, God sets apart a deliverer, a Hebrew baby raised in the Egyptian palace. Keep in mind, this means that baby boys were still dying while Moses grew up.
God is slow, but He is not inactive, passive, distant, uncaring. God is slow, from our point of view, but as far as His purpose is concerned, He always acts on time, at the right moment.
Where is God right now? He may not be acting visibly, He may not be responding to our prayers in an obvious way. But He is at work, behind the scenes. As in the book of Esther – which never even mentions God – He is at work invisibly, behind the scene, protecting His people and accomplishing His purpose. In both settings, the very survival of His chosen people was at stake.
God sees me. He knows where I am at. I may go through periods where I cannot see God, but He is there among us (see the video posted here). He is acting, and He will act. If I believe that He is God of History, then I can trust that He is God of my story. There are reasons and ‘ripples’ for my life that I cannot understand, but one day the pieces will come together. Whether my life is long or short, easy or hard, it is part of His bigger plan and purpose, and one day people will thank God for what He did through our lives too.
Nothing is wasted with God, including time. When He makes a promise (like He did for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob), He keeps it. He has begun a good work in me, He will carry it on to completion [Philippians 1:6]. I am where I am for a purpose, and if I open my eyes, I will see each day ways I which I can join Him in accomplishing His purpose.
This is a much nicer way to live, than to think that everything is by chance, and that everything is without purpose. God sees us! God knows us! God loves us!
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the reminder that my story is Your story, You are at work in it whether I see it or not!
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
The last verse of the reading states that God looked upon the Israelites and had concern for them. They were His children. As He was with Moses though unusual ways, He was with His people Israel. And He is with me this day, but do I have the eyes with which I can see Him? On my journey of learning His will for my life – my pilgrim’s progress – did I always see Him in the valleys or on the mountain tops? Did I know at all times that He was molding me, shaping me for acts of service this day. As I tell the students to look at the world through Biblical glassess to have the proper worldview so I too need a constant reminder that God still moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. I am still in the palm of His hand even though at times I have lost my vision. Help me today Lord to see You.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.