Today’s Reading, Exodus 1-3
Focal Scripture: Exodus 2:25 “God saw the Israelites, and God knew.”
Do you ever feel unseen? I know I have in my life. It can happen at your job, in your family, and even with your friends. You are around people, but nobody really sees who you really are or what you are going through. You have troubles in your life and are just hoping that someone would reach out and let you know that you’re not alone. You don’t complain about your lot in life but you wonder if people really see both the joys and the heartache that you have experienced. Not because you want sympathy but because you want to know that you matter to someone.
In today’s reading we clearly see this scenario play out. The Israelites have grown in numbers exponentially. However, they are now ruled by a Pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph and what he meant to the Egyptians and the world as a whole. This new Pharaoh was jealous and worried about the Jewish people. He believed they would overtake them. What does he do? He makes them slaves and assigns taskmasters to rule over them harshly. The Jewish people felt unseen when they groaned in anguish to the Lord. Thankfully, we know this is not true. Our focal verse tells us that God saw the Israelites and he knew. He saw them right where they were and knew their struggles.
This same truth applies to us as believers. He sees us when we think nobody else does. God knows our struggles. He knows where we feel trapped and enslaved. It doesn’t matter if we are enslaved by a certain sin or if we are trapped in doubt concerning the path of our lives. God sees everyone and he knows the groanings and struggles that overtake us as we walk this Earth.
When all hope seems lost, I challenge you to have faith in the Lord. Your challenges will only last for a season, but know this, you will be delivered. This deliverance may happen by God removing you from your affliction. However, it might happen, by him giving you the strength to endure your circumstances. Either way the Lord sees you right where you are living. He knows the deep intimate needs of your heart. He knows what you need and when you need to receive it in your life.
Never doubt that God sees you, God knows you.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Exodus 4-6
