God Remembered. Again,

Previously I had titled a devotion "God remembered." Today we revisit that theme. His remembering of the covenant in Exodus 2 means protection for Moses, the man who would be called to deliver Israel from its bondage. What great comfort this chapter gives us when we are in our affliction. Though God seems slow in answering, he has answered even before we cry out. Now, to our study!

Read Proverbs 2

Read Exodus 2

Verses 24 and 25 of this chapter are most remarkable. Read them again slowly, "God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel - and God knew."

Maybe some had given up on God. But here is assurance that though relief was seemingly slow in coming, God was at work. God could hear their groaning and see their affliction. God remembered his gracious covenant. God knew. He knew their agony. He knew their prayers. He knew their distress. He knew how to save.

So many times I comfort people who are frustrated with God's timetable. God is not answering. He is not helping. He is distant. He is making things worse. I must confess that I too have been frustrated with God's timetable. We want relief, and we want it now. We want help, miraculous divine help. We want strength and we want it instantly.

And sometimes what we want is Godly. We ache over a family member who is hurting themselves and the family. We agonize over those walking away from the faith. We hurt to see our loved ones hurting. We desire those situations to stop. Those desires are not sinful desires.

But Exodus 2 reminds us though we cannot always see God working, he sees us. Though we can't always hear his answer, he hears our prayers. Though we don't always know what God is doing, God knows how to save. And though we don't remember to trust in him, God remembers his gracious covenant.

He made a new covenant in His Blood for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus never forgets this covenant he made with us. We are redeemed by him. We are delivered from sin, just as we will soon see Israel delivered from Egypt's slavery.

That's something for us to remember!

Ask Yourself:

Who do I know who is agonizing over a straying loved one? What can I do to help?

Who do I know who is crushed with a financial, health, or relational burden? What can I do to help?

How can I remind myself to better watch for God at work?

Pray:

"Lord, keep us faithful in reading and studying Your Word and in receiving Your grace through the Sacraments. Amen." (TLSB p. 1002).

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!