SCRIPTURE: Exodus 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. [Exodus 2:24-25]
This chapter gives a quick review of Moses’ life up until the point that God calls him.
God is at work behind the scenes preparing Moses to rescue His people: spared from death as a baby, raised in Pharoah’s courts, and exiled into the very wilderness where he will one day lead God’s people.
Moses is getting all the experience he needs to be God’s deliver.
And yet the people are still suffering, still waiting, still crying out to God.
And God hears them, cares for them, and unknown to them is working on a solution.
See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [Matthew 18:10]
Jesus talks about the angels of heaven watching over God’s little ones, and also about how they see (report to) God – in others words, God knows what is happening in their lives.
He sees the suffering and misery in the world, and He is concerned for them.
This quote is followed by a parable of a shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep that are safe to seek and to save the one lost sheep – and how He rejoices when He finds it.
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. [Matthew 18:12-14]
God does care, God is concerned, and the life of Moses shows us that God is at work.
Behind the scenes, unknown to the people, God is raising up Moses for the right moment.
God does not just snap His fingers and produce an instant solution, He works through time and space, through people and circumstances, through everything and everyone, all the time.
Nothing happens to us by chance, but comes to us through His Fatherly hand!
He does not cause evil – we do by our choices – but He does not allow evil to reign unchecked.
He guides our sinful choices and their painful consequences, He directs the affairs of this world (including our free will) to bring about His ultimate purpose.
But He does it behind the scenes.
God is working in your life too, whether you see it or not.
He is preparing His help in a hidden and/or surprising way, and when the time is right, you will see it.
Jesus’ birth, like Moses’ birth, was the unfolding of God’s perfect, yet hidden purpose.
But in time, He was revealed, and He rescued us from the ‘pharoah of sin, death and hell’!
Jesus is also God’s answer to your need; will you look to Him and His hidden hand in your life?
PRAYER:
Lord, You are at work in and around me too, even if I cannot see it. Remind me of Your concern for me, of Your purpose for my life, and assure me that one day You will intervene!
Come and see. See where he lay.
It is almost Christmas Day once again and we remember God’s goodness in providing a Saviour for the world to redeem His people. We remember His lowly entrance into the world. Who would have believed?
Moses, born into the family, also had a remarkable entry into the world. Hidden, the basket, educated in pharaoh’s court, escaped the law of the land twice, educated out in the wilderness. Who would have known?
God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. He is true to His Word and He remembers His people. His promises. And He uses ordinary people like you and me to fulfill those promises. This is His world and His plan will come to pass. He uses His people to make it happen whether they realize it or not.
God is at work today as He was in Moses’ day or Christ’s day or today’s day. He continues to use people like you and me His purposes to accomplish. Open my eyes Lord that I may see You at work in me and all around. This is my Father’s world.
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.
This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.
This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.
This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.