Advent Devotional, December 7

DECEMBER 7 – Exodus 2: 23-25

By: Ken Shuster

In the course of those many days the king of Egypt died. And the people of Israel groaned under their bondage, and cried out for help, and their cry under bondage came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God saw the people of Israel, and God knew their condition. (RSV)

How often do we look to God feeling or thinking that He has to be told who we are and what we need? Again, scripture reminds us that God knows who we are, what is happening to us and most of all the promises (covenants) that He has entered into with us. We need to remember that we are His children and as with any parent we are the ones that need to be obedient and listen. As a child we must be respectful and trusting our Heavenly Father will care for us, in His way and in His time. The Israelites have long been in bondage, as we are in bondage to sin. God knows this; He does not need us to say “I am sinful”. He wants to see us repent, to release ourselves from the bondage that we have placed ourselves in and walk toward Him. His covenant with us is in and through Christ as our Savior. God sees us, hears us and wants to give to us as any loving father would with his child. But if we do not walk (act) in the way our Father tells us, though Christ, then He will also wait until He sees that we are ready for Him to answer our voices.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to learn from the words of Christ, our Savior,
who you have given to us to teach us Your way. Teach us to listen to You
so we can follow Christ to You. Our future, as Your children, is in Your
mercy not in our actions.

Family Moment

God’s people were suffering in Egypt. How do we suffer today? God hears our prayers today just
like He heard the prayers of His people in Egypt. God sent Moses to lead them out of their suffering.
Who did God send to give us hope?