The Hearing

Exodus 2:24-25

The people of God have suffered under the rule of Pharaoh in Egypt. They are a displaced people—a quick reading of Exodus 1 and 2 show them experiencing severe political, economical, social, infanticidal, and racial oppression. They are a people in pain. They are a people in suffering. They are a people in hopelessness. “Relief?” an Israelite might whisper: “Relief from where?” Where could relief come from? Another nation? No, Egypt was the power of the Near Middle East. Inside the nation? No, they were the people of Goshen—an insult. Goshen meant “plenty and comfort,” yet the experience of Israel was anything but. Relief? From where? “God heard… remembered… saw… and God knew.” Relief would come from God Himself through the Hebrew baby, Moses, who’d been placed among the reeds. The God who heard and saw their pain would bring relief. 

Has this ever been you? Your suffering and pain may not be the same as theirs - but it is suffering and pain nonetheless. We have a God who knows our suffering. He suffers so that one day, now or in eternity, your suffering may end. He sent a Savior who suffered on the Cross to save us from our sin. Our God hears, sees, knows - and does something. He sends Christ, the Son of suffering who will free us fully one day from our suffering. Every tear, He will wipe away. This is the Christ who has come. 

Prayer:

God, remind us that one day you will wipe away our tears as you have wiped away our sins. 

Question to consider:

What would it look like to bring your suffering to Christ? How can you remember that God hears and sees you today?