UP AND OUT

Exodus 3:7-8 NIV 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. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey…

Did your parents ever say to you as a child, “I’ve got eyes in the back of my head!”? They were letting you know they knew all that was going on whether it looked like it or not!😊 

When the Israelites were slaves in the land of Egypt they were treated so harshly they called out to God but they thought He wasn’t listening or didn’t care, but He did! Look what the Lord said in our verse above, “I have seen…I have heard them crying out…I am concerned… So I have come to rescue them, to bring them up out…”

Whenever we’re tempted to think God’s not listening, read these verses because they remind us that He knows exactly what is going on! Other translations say He is concerned, He understands, He cares and our God is the same God who doesn’t change, so He knows all about our lives too.😊

Exodus 2:25 NLT He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act. I just find that so reassuring because God knows when it’s time to act in our lives as well. He’s never late and His timing will be just right. Our part is to stay in expectant faith, believing God’s grace for each day to be sufficient and that when the time is right He will bring us up and out into an experience flowing with milk and honey. 

It’s a picture of blessing, of more than enough, a picture to put a smile on our faces. Ultimately it’s a picture of what heaven will be like, but I believe God wants to bring us into an experience of it here and now - the abundance of life Jesus spoke about.

It’s what rescue looks like and if you need rescuing, be encouraged because God sees, God hears, God is concerned, and He will come to bring you up and out when the time is right.😊 In Jesus name. Amen.

Photo by Chittima Stanmore on Unsplash

GOD’S GOODNESS AND KINDNESS

Genesis 50:21 AMP So now, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and support you and your little ones.” So he comforted them [giving them encouragement and hope] and spoke [with kindness] to their hearts.

When Jacob had died Joseph’s brothers were now worried that Joseph would take his revenge on them for treating him so badly all those years before. We can see how their minds worked and it’s probably what they themselves would have done!

So they once again asked him to forgive them and to be merciful. Joseph’s response reminded me of God’s goodness to us and how great His loving kindness and mercy is towards us.

Joseph goes on and says that what the brothers had meant for harm, God had meant for good, which encourages us to know that whatever has happened to us in the past, God will turn it round for our good eventually.😊

As you take the time to read our verse again, can you hear the Father's heart as He says to each one of us, “So now, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and support you...” God is still speaking kindly to our hearts today when we turn to Him, and whatever is troubling us He wants to reassure and encourage our faith, and give us hope. 

1 Peter 5:7 NLT Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Our God has mercy for every mistake, and grace for every circumstance, so we don’t need to be afraid. Our God is for us, His love is forever and He invites us into His very throne room to fellowship with Him and receive all His goodness, His kindness and His mercy, because of His love. Doesn’t that make your heart grateful and glad today? I pray it does.😊 Amen.

Photo: Mark Harpur on Unsplash