Sunday 1 December 2013

I know their sufferings

Exodus 3:7  Then the LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings... 

Whilst the Israelites where wasting away under the heavy blows the Egyptians dealt to them daily through the yoke of slavery, there was one in heaven who knew their sufferings. I suppose that God kept his eyes on them daily, that at last the heaviness did not sink his people into the sea of extinction. Through providence God did not allow his people to perish. But there came a day when the tears were too much. All of heaven lamented at such cruelty and God heard the cry of his people, because for long they had beat their chest looking beyond the Egyptian grey sky for help and for deliverance from slavery.

It is perhaps true that those whose backs have become red with stripes believed that their cries were now smoke rising in vain hope to reach the sun. They lamented their portion and sigh at the far-ness of God, the God of their Fathers. 'He was there for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Where is he now?' The Egyptians must have taunted. 

But nonetheless the daily stripes and heavy yoke still made them scream for deliverance towards heaven. What else can a man do in such an hour! Even an atheist is sure to utter a silent cry even if he does not believe. Or else he may as well thrust his head upon the sharp sword. But it is said of God himself that he knew their sufferings. Yes he knew it intimately, he knew it in the foreshadowing of his own precious son being under the heavy blow of man's evil.

God always knows the sufferings of his people. Time and time again God hears the cries of his afflicted ones. The sleeping mother though asleep will always hear the cries of her precious infant. And although if she leaves him a while to cry himself to sleep, yet after a time and the infant cries is still as energetic as it was at first, the mother would rise knowing that something was of a serious matter. She would at once provide comfort.  Now after much crying, God heard the sobbing of the Israelites in slavery and surely my suffering friend, he will hear yours too. 

Notice that deliverance to the captive Israelites was not  immediate. The Israelites suffered for years upon years, until a day came when God bid their saviour to rise and set them free. Moses was their deliverer. This is always the case with all God's children, namely that God will always hear your cry and will in a day soon or near come and deliver you. In those tearful periods, in those moments of sighs and heavy hearts, all you need is faith in his goodness that he is indeed coming.

He may come like a thief in the night. Do not abandon your house of hope for he knows your sufferings. 

He delivered Christ from the ultimate tyranny, namely death and sin. He has promised to do the same with you. Whatever your present sufferings whether guilt, debt, or whatever, know this, namely that God will deliver you.

He knows your sufferings. 


K.Oni

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