By Whitney Capps
“Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.” Exodus 2:23-25 (NASB)
In today’s key verse in Exodus, we’re given an update of the state of affairs in Egypt. Clearly, God’s people needed deliverance and provision. When I read this passage, what stands out to me isn’t the people’s situation but the number of times God is called “God.”
Read it out loud and see if it hits you too. In everyday conversation we don’t tend to repeat the name of the subject over and over in subsequent sentences. We say it once and then use pronouns like “He.” However, God is referenced by name 5 times in 2 sentences in this passage. Awkward? Maybe. Significant? Monumentally.
I think the purpose is to make it clear to us that God is the one in charge of all that is about to transpire. God will hear their cries, remember their situation, and look upon them with concern. Then God will initiate the activity that will set the captives free, bringing glory to His name.
The Israelites were crying out to God for help in their slavery, but had no way of knowing that their gracious God was already at work, calling Moses to be His mouthpiece and their deliverer from Egypt. God had heard their cries, but it would be some measure of time before they were aware that He had answered their prayers.
Patience is required for those who seek the face of God. He has the answer in hand before we even voice our need, but it may take some time to manifest. You’ll find many examples of this in Scripture, but can I offer you a more contemporary example?
Most of my earliest memories are set in Fort Worth, Texas where we lived while my dad attended Southwestern Seminary. I remember little of the hardships my parents and grandparents talk about. My Granny still cries every time she describes what those years were like for her young son and daughter-in-law, so poor and so far from home. My mom, though a degreed teacher, stayed at home with me. My dad went to school full-time and worked as much as his demanding study schedule would allow. These were lean times financially.
At one point during our stint in Fort Worth, our car was stolen from the apartment complex where we lived. Mom tells me that while we had insurance, we didn’t have the money to pay the $100 deductible. While my parents tried to figure out how to make the ends meet, the mail arrived that day with a letter from my dad’s childhood Sunday school teacher. The letter explained that God had laid our family on his heart a few days prior, and God had told him to send us some money. In fact, God had told him to send us $100.00!
So a letter left Georgia nearly a full day before our car was stolen and two days before we were aware of our desperate need for $100.00. Even before my sweet parents’ prayers had reached the throne room of heaven, our great God had provision on its way. Remarkable? Certainly. Significant? Monumentally!
God knew what His covenant people enslaved in Egypt needed in 1400 B.C. He knew what a poor seminary family in Fort Worth, Texas needed in 1979. And dear sister, He knows what you need today right this very minute. He knows what we need because He knows all the cares of our heart. He is intimately aware of all that happens to us, because it all comes through His hand purposed for His glory and for our good.
Dear Lord, remind me even in moments of desperation and fear that You are in control. Help me fight the temptation to worry or doubt your provision. Grant me the peace to accept Your will as your promise to protect and provide for me and my family. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Whitney Capps’s blog
Application Steps:
Track your prayers in a prayer journal so that future generations can see how God’s faithfulness is at work in your life.
Reflections:
What are you anxiously praying for right now?
Can you resolve to set your heart at peace knowing that God’s best answer may already be on its way?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (NIV)
© 2008 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
“Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.” Exodus 2:23-25 (NASB)
In today’s key verse in Exodus, we’re given an update of the state of affairs in Egypt. Clearly, God’s people needed deliverance and provision. When I read this passage, what stands out to me isn’t the people’s situation but the number of times God is called “God.”
Read it out loud and see if it hits you too. In everyday conversation we don’t tend to repeat the name of the subject over and over in subsequent sentences. We say it once and then use pronouns like “He.” However, God is referenced by name 5 times in 2 sentences in this passage. Awkward? Maybe. Significant? Monumentally.
I think the purpose is to make it clear to us that God is the one in charge of all that is about to transpire. God will hear their cries, remember their situation, and look upon them with concern. Then God will initiate the activity that will set the captives free, bringing glory to His name.
The Israelites were crying out to God for help in their slavery, but had no way of knowing that their gracious God was already at work, calling Moses to be His mouthpiece and their deliverer from Egypt. God had heard their cries, but it would be some measure of time before they were aware that He had answered their prayers.
Patience is required for those who seek the face of God. He has the answer in hand before we even voice our need, but it may take some time to manifest. You’ll find many examples of this in Scripture, but can I offer you a more contemporary example?
Most of my earliest memories are set in Fort Worth, Texas where we lived while my dad attended Southwestern Seminary. I remember little of the hardships my parents and grandparents talk about. My Granny still cries every time she describes what those years were like for her young son and daughter-in-law, so poor and so far from home. My mom, though a degreed teacher, stayed at home with me. My dad went to school full-time and worked as much as his demanding study schedule would allow. These were lean times financially.
At one point during our stint in Fort Worth, our car was stolen from the apartment complex where we lived. Mom tells me that while we had insurance, we didn’t have the money to pay the $100 deductible. While my parents tried to figure out how to make the ends meet, the mail arrived that day with a letter from my dad’s childhood Sunday school teacher. The letter explained that God had laid our family on his heart a few days prior, and God had told him to send us some money. In fact, God had told him to send us $100.00!
So a letter left Georgia nearly a full day before our car was stolen and two days before we were aware of our desperate need for $100.00. Even before my sweet parents’ prayers had reached the throne room of heaven, our great God had provision on its way. Remarkable? Certainly. Significant? Monumentally!
God knew what His covenant people enslaved in Egypt needed in 1400 B.C. He knew what a poor seminary family in Fort Worth, Texas needed in 1979. And dear sister, He knows what you need today right this very minute. He knows what we need because He knows all the cares of our heart. He is intimately aware of all that happens to us, because it all comes through His hand purposed for His glory and for our good.
Dear Lord, remind me even in moments of desperation and fear that You are in control. Help me fight the temptation to worry or doubt your provision. Grant me the peace to accept Your will as your promise to protect and provide for me and my family. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Whitney Capps’s blog
Application Steps:
Track your prayers in a prayer journal so that future generations can see how God’s faithfulness is at work in your life.
Reflections:
What are you anxiously praying for right now?
Can you resolve to set your heart at peace knowing that God’s best answer may already be on its way?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (NIV)
© 2008 by Whitney Capps. All rights reserved.
5 Comments:
Thank you very much for the reminder that God hears our prayers....before they are on our lips. The battle has been intense lately...and it is good to remember that I can "take a breath" and rest in God's sovereignty. My worries awakened me this morning and for several mornings...I, like the Israelites, have been "sighing because of my bondage" and crying out in my heart to God. "So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant..." It is good to be reminded that God is hearing me, remembering me (in His covenant) and taking notice...I appreciate your reminder...it is very timely.
This morning I awoke with a very heavy heart and felt the defeat of my situation. Your reminder helped me to remember that God is in total control and that I need to be patient to wait for his answer. Thank you for the reminder that as I let my defeat overtake me, I must continue to pray and know that God is in Control.
My heart is anxious today over an unresolved issue that has been going on for several months. Today's devotion has reminded me of the fact that God knew what I was going to pray for today and that He has already been putting into motion everything surrounding this issue. May I trust Him that He is taking care of me.
I am encouraged by all of you. It's easy to sit here and think "no one gets it" well maybe not my situation. But eveyone has their own, I thank God that He is big enough for all of us and our individual troubles.
thank you so much for this word from God... for some reason I just came back to your website after sometime...God know what we need when we need it...i have been really in a battle and didn't know how much more i could take...with family...with financesand was reallywondering if God even heard me..you reminded me that he knows and in control of every area of my life and He cares. Thank you
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