Sok Ching had just recovered from Covid-19 when her aged mother took a fall. Days later, her mother died. Then her estranged husband filed for divorce and threatened to fight for custody of their young son. Sok Ching felt like she was going through a desert, totally drained of life. Where is God? she wondered. Does He know what I’m going through?
She found it tough even to pray. Then Exodus 2:23-25 came to mind. The Israelites were suffering a multitude of troubles: an oppressive pharaoh, cruel slave masters, their sons were being killed. They must have asked the same question: “Where is God?”
But He was there: “God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant . . . . He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act” (vv. 24-25). Though their deliverance would come forty years later, the Israelites were assured that God knew their pain and would respond.
As Sok Ching read from her journal, it reminded her of the time God helped her take care of her mom, strengthened her when her husband left her, and encouraged her as a single mother. And she recalled how Jesus went to the cross for us. “It gives me hope,” she said, “knowing that God is there for me in the desert.” She could declare in confidence, “God is there. And He remembers.”
-Leslie Koh
How has God helped you through tough times in the past? How can you draw strength from His promises?
Father, You know what I’m going through, and You know my pain and worry. I know You care for me. Help me to keep trusting in You.
23 Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued
to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help,
and their cry rose up to God.
24 God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant
promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
25 He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.
God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant.
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