Faith and Suffering

We’ve all heard amazing stories of faith in the midst of trials and I don’t just mean little irritants throughout the day but real storms that rock your hope right out from under you!  What is it that keeps these people going?  How is it that they hold on to their faith instead of throwing it out the window?  After all how could a loving God allow his people to suffer?

We in North America have the idea that suffering is bad.  I know I sure don’t like it!  I wonder if we never suffered would we appreciate the good things and good times in our lives?  In Philippians it says to “Give thanks in all things” I know there are other places in the world where people are tried much more deeply than we are here and yet they don’t lose their joy. 

The Bible says Jesus “learned obedience through the things he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)

“He was also tempted in every way that we are and overcame.” (Hebrews 2:18)

It is so important when you are in the middle of life’s storms to hold on to God’s promises.  Things WILL change.  God says “He is working everything out for our good”   So how does suffering strengthen our faith in God?    For some people it shatters their faith and yet other’s come out shining as gold!   

What it comes down to is relationship.  How is it that some people like Corrie Ten Boom can live in a concentration camp and not become bitter and others hit a minor trial and give up on God?   How is it that a Christian like Pastor Saeed can be thrown into one of the world’s worse prisons and not throw in the towel?  It’s about more than just heaven and hell.  This is much more than just “fire insurance.”

Well one thing I’ve learned about relationships is that it is not based only on the good times and good things another person can give us.  Real love is give and take.  Real love is patient and kind.  Real love is 1 Corinthians 13.  God wants us to love Him in good times and bad.  (Just like we do our spouses, family and friends)

After talking to several people I have come to the conclusion that it comes from knowing Him intimately; who He is, his character and above all His love.  For me whenever I get into a pity party or feel angry towards God because of my circumstances the love of the cross shatters all of that.   It all comes down to that “Old Rugged Cross”.  The scourging, the whipping, the beating, the mocking, the humiliation of nakedness, the crown of thorns, the nail pierced hands and all He could think about was forgiving His killers!

Although I am so thankful for other believers that keep me encouraged through times of testing, however, it still boggles my mind what some people go through without losing their joy.  I don’t know about you all but I need to get into The Word and in prayer more not because this is a religion based on works but because I really do want to KNOW Him.  I really do want to trust Him no matter what!

A parable based on Words of Wisdom: Malachi 3:3

Refiner and Purifier of Silver

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." 

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this

statement meant about the character and nature of God. 

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to

the group at their next Bible Study. 

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch

him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond

her curiosity about the process of refining silver. 

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it

heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the

middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the

impurities. 

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought

again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." 

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire

the whole time the silver was being refined. 

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he

had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver

was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. 

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you

know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's

easy - when I see my image in it." 

This parable’s author is unknown.

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on

you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

(If anyone would like to share their testimony with me you can reach me at) https://www.facebook.com/windandfireHolly

First Choice/Best Choice

Ever consider that David was not God's first choice for King? Saul was the first one chosen. Regardless of what people say about Saul, he was sent by God to Samuel as an answer to the prayer of God's people. YOU also are an answer to somebody's prayer. David wasn't the first choice - but he was the BEST choice.

If you are serving under someone else, "whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as TO THE LORD, and not unto men." (Col 3:22) work as if you were working for Jesus because the Lord see's your effort and "you shall receive the reward of your inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." 

David was a man after God's heart and that is why he ended up in the role that Saul was originally given. He was a man after- in pursuit of - God's heart. Your ROLE changes but your PURPOSE doesn't. If your passion is God's presence and you stay focused on fulfilling your present assignment, you will discover that what you are doing now is actually preparing you for what your NEXT ROLE is going to be.

Esther was not the Kings first choice - she ended up replacing Queen Vashti.

You may feel like you are running LAST but the last are often FIRST before the story is over. The "first born" in the family were the ones with the Birthright and the Inheritance. However....

Isaac was second to Ishmael.

Jacob was second to Esau.

Joseph was 11th out of 12 and anything but the first choice of his brothers.

Moses was not the people's choice for a deliverer - they drove him into a dessert.

Jeremiah was not Israel's first choice for a Prophet, but he was Gods.

Peter and the rest of the disciples in Galilee were not the local Rabbi's first choice. All young men went to Hebrew school, but by 13 were either encouraged to continue with the Rabbi and be further trained or were told to "go learn the trade of your father." When Jesus saw Peter, James, Andrew and John they were doing like the Rabbi said - working in their fathers fishing business.

NOW the CRAZIEST of all overlooks in history....Jesus of Nazareth was overlooked by the local Rabbi as a qualified recruit for the ministry.

Stay faithful to your present call, stay passionate about His presence and stay OPEN to the providential way's that God open's door's because YOU are an answer to someone's prayer and your gift's are a solution to someone's problem. Be an expert problem solver and you accelerate your positioning...it's just a mater of time.

Dry Time

Dry Time

I must admit the last couple weeks I have been going through a dry time spiritually.  It seems that God is distant and uninvolved.   I know these are my emotions lying.  The truth is He is closer than ever!

Psalm 139, "O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me....How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You." (Psalm 139:1-10 & 17-18)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N__3NYLygIY  Healing our Image of God and Ourselves

Don't give up we'll get through this dry time!

"Awake My Soul"
(with Lecrae)

[Chris Tomlin:]
Breathe on me, breath of God, breathe on me
Breathe on me, breath of God, breathe on me
I come alive, I’m alive when you breathe on me
I come alive, I’m alive when you breathe on me

[Chorus:]
Awake, awake, awake my soul,
God resurrect these bones
From death to life, through you alone
Awake my soul

Speak to me, word of God, speak to me
Speak to me, word of God, speak to me
I come alive, I’m alive when you speak to me
I come alive, I’m alive when you speak to me

[Chorus:]
Awake, awake, awake my soul,
God resurrect these bones
From death to life, through you alone
Awake my soul

[Lecrae:]
Then He said to me,
Prophesy to these bones and say to them,
Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones,
I will make breath enter you,
And you will come to life.
So I prophesied as I was commanded.
As I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound,
And the bones came together, bone to bone.
And I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them,
And skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then He said to me,
Prophesy to the breath,
Prophesy, son of man, and say to it,
Conjure the four winds of breath and breathe.

[Chorus:]
Awake, awake, awake my soul,
God resurrect these bones
From death to life, through you alone
Awake my soul

Awake, awake, awake my soul,
God resurrect these bones
From death to life, through you alone
Awake my soul

[Lecrae:]
Yeah, I’m not alone, I realize
I breathe out, I come alive
Your word gives life to my dry bones
Your breath tells death it can ride on
Awake me, make me a living stone,
A testament to your throne, I
I’m nothing without you, I’m on my own
The only one who satisfies my soul

Balancing Rest and Work

Have you found the right balance between, life, work and rest?  If so how do you manage?  If not what areas are you neglecting?  Do you find as a single person you are being stretched between parents, work, home, social and people's expectations of your time are different?  What can we as singles do about that?

Peace, Be Still!

How many of us are guilty of not slowing down?  Not letting go and letting God?  I know I am.  I burnt myself out last month "trying to fit everything in" and neglected what was really important, my relationship with God and my own personal care (exercise, eating right, sleeping etc.)  Well no more, it's time to have boundaries and say no once in a while.  (very hard thing to do for us social people pleaser's)  Even Jesus took time out for rest and rejuvenation at friends (Lazarus, Mary and Martha) and especially with His Father.  You may be asking yourself is it okay as a Christian to say no.  Well consider the following verses.

Matthew 5:1

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,

Mark 6:30-31

³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

When God told us to rest He was also concerned about our beasts of burden and employees!  

Exodus 23:12

¹² “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.

The hard part is finding balance between rest and work.  God's plan is not that we should become couch potatoes.

Numbers 8:23-26

²³ The Lord said to Moses, ²⁴ “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, ²⁵ but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. ²⁶ They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.

And although we should prepare for the future we don't want to be like the rich man who worked and stored up goods only for himself then dropped dead before he could enjoy it!

Luke 12:20-21

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’²¹ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

1 Timothy 6:17-19

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.¹⁹ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

In this crazy busy go go go world how many of us take time to rest?  So it's no wonder how many times in scripture God tells us to be still, quiet, or be at peace. They may not be written in those exact words but here are some of the verses I found pertaining to rest.  Take some time and meditate on them and find your peace.   

Psalm 46:10 

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 37:7 

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Exodus 14:14 

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Mark 4:39

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Psalm 23:1-6 

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Psalm 62:5 

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Psalm 131:2

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Psalm 91:1-16 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ...

.

Job 6:24 

“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

1 Peter 3:4

But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Lamentations 3:24-26 

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Isaiah 32:17 

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

1 Kings 19:11-13 

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

1 Thessalonians 4:11 

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

 Friend have you reached the right balance in life? Do you have ample, but not too much, rest? If not, join me in praying that God will  assist us in moving towards that right balance.

Your Purpose in Life

What's Your Life Purpose?

Finding and Knowing Your Life Purpose

From Karen Wolff

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If finding your life purpose seems like an elusive undertaking, don't panic! You are not alone. In this devotional by Karen Wolff of Christian-Books-for-Women.com you'll find reassurance and practical support for finding and knowing your life purpose.

What's Your Life Purpose?

While it's true some people seem to find their life purpose easier than others, it's also true that God really does have a plan for every single person, even if it takes a while to see what it is.

Most people think finding your life purpose means doing something you truly love. It's an area that just seems natural to you and things just seem to fall into place. But what if things aren't so clear for you? What if you're not sure what your gifts are? What if you haven't discovered any particular talent that makes you think it could be your true calling in life? Or what if you're working somewhere and you're good at it, but you just don't feel fulfilled? Is this all there is for you?

Don't panic. You're not alone. There are lots of people in the same boat. Take a look at the disciples. Now, there's a diverse group. Before Jesus came on the scene, they were fishermen, tax collectors, farmers, etc. They must have been good at what they were doing because they were feeding their families and making a living.

But then they met Jesus, and their true calling came into focus very quickly. What the disciples didn't know is that God wanted them to be happy—even more than they did. And following God's plan for their lives made them happy inside, where it really matters. What a concept, huh?

Do you suppose it could be true for you too? That God wants you to be truly happy and fulfilled even more than you do?

Your Next Step

The next step in finding your life purpose is right in the Book. All you have to do is read it. The Bible says Jesus told his disciples they were supposed to love one another as he loved them. And he wasn't kidding. Getting really good at this part of the process is like building the basement of your house.

You wouldn't dream of moving forward without a rock solid foundation. Discovering God's purpose for your life is exactly the same. The foundation of the process means getting really good at being a Christian. Yup, that means being nice to people even when you don't feel like it, forgiving people, and oh yes, loving the unlovable people in the world.

So, what does all that stuff have to do with what I'm supposed to be when I grow up? Everything. When you get good at being a Christian, you also get good at hearing from God. He's able to use you. He's able to work through you. And it's through that process that you'll discover your true purpose in life.

But What About Me and My Life?

So if you get really great at being a Christian, or at least you think you are, and you still haven't found that true purpose—then what?

Getting really good at being a Christian means you stop thinking about you all the time. Take the focus off you and look for ways to be a blessing to someone else.

There is no better way to receive help and direction in your own life than to focus on someone else. It seems completely opposite of what the world tells you. After all, if you're not looking out for yourself, then who will? Well—that would be God.

When you focus on someone else's business, God will focus on yours. It means planting seeds in great soil, and then simply waiting for God to bring a harvest into your life. And in the meantime ...

Step Out and Try It

Working with God to find your life purpose means working as a team. When you take a step, God takes a step.

• Be willing to try some things that interest you. You will know very quickly if you've found the right thing for you. Doors will either open or slam shut. Either way, you'll know where you stand.
• Be Patient. Wanting to know everything right this second is pretty common these days. Learning to trust that God will show you when He's ready—now that takes patience. God isn't going to show you every piece of the puzzle all at once. If he did, you'd get that "deer in the headlights" look, because you'd be so overwhelmed by it all. Not to mention you'd be overly tempted to come up with a back-up plan "just in case" things didn't work out.
• Don't waste your time on things you know aren't from God. "Get rich quick" schemes never work. Finding a Christian husband or wife won't happen if you're focused on activities and events that don't involve Christians. And participating in things you know are wrong—well, you're simply prolonging your answers.
• Don't let the people around you talk you into things. Just because it all sounds like a good idea from the world's view doesn't mean it's God's plan for you. Following God's leading sometimes means you have to say no to many well-meaning family members or friends. It comes down to the decision to follow, no matter where it leads.
• Lastly, don't ever give up. You may not know your specific purpose today or tomorrow, but as long as you're really great at being a Christian, and your heart is open, you will find God and he will find you.

Karen Wolff, a contributing writer for About.com, is host to a Christian Web site for women. As founder of Christian-Books-for-Women.com, she wants to provide Christian women with a place to find practical information, tips, and help with a variety of issues they face every day. For more information visit Karen's Bio Page.

Where does the single adult fit into the body of Christ?  I mean every time we turn around they're preaching about families and children from the pulpit which doesn't really cover our demographic.  Even though we have no children of our own couldn't we mentor those who have no spiritual parents?  Don't we need spiritual mentors as well?  What about a place to have fellowship with other believers like ourselves?  

The church in general is so worried about becoming a meat market that they forgot that in the beginning the church was not only the spiritual center of town but the social center as well.  What safer place would there be to meet someone?  With your spiritual leaders and mentors around as activities go forth they are our protection from any wolves in sheep's clothing.  If they're not going to get fellowship in church they will find it elsewhere.  ("It is not good that man should be alone") God said that :)

Genesis 2:18a

And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone;

It is important to note that Paul although he had no biological children he had "children in the faith" like Timothy.  Both these men were single.  One was mentored and the other the mentor.  I believe we has singles need to take our place in the body as we are lacking so many spiritual father's.

1 Corinthians 4:17

Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.

Song of Songs 5:15-16 

Your Mine!

Lied to and heavily yoked, weighted down until I nearly choked,
As I crawled in the dirt with my heavy load, 
a filthy mess or so I was told.
One after another Dragon piled on the shame. 
I guessed it was me who was to blame.

In the Distance I saw Him there.
He was so beautiful I couldn’t help but stare.
On a white horse with a flying mane, 
hope sprung anew, in the midst of my pain. 

Help I cried from the dust of the ground, and my heart leapt at the clopping hooves sound.
He was beautiful, this white knight, this prince;
And with one look of His eyes I haven’t been the same since.

You’re altogether lovely my lady and bride! I was speechless although my heart sang inside.
“What’s this heavy weight you bear? I looked down again, too ashamed to share.
The Dragon has lied and I was full of pride. I believed his promises for fortune, wealth and fame but in the end it only caused me pain.

My burdens were labelled, the prince could see; 
disease, stress, strife, with old selfish me.
“You’re beautiful sir, and wise I can see too! 
What must I do to be free like you?”

He said those words again about being ravished by me. I could scarce believe. 
“I alone can give you permanent reprieve. “

“Yes I’ll do anything you say! 
I looked in His eyes and my heart began to sway.
All I could see was love shining inside. 
“You’re altogether lovely my princess, my bride!”
“You ravish me my love. 
This war will be won with strength from above.” 

“It won’t be easy daughter; 
If you’re willing to follow my Father,
I will make all things new!”
He exclaimed and began to trade garments with me, 
then seemed to take my burdens with a kind of glee. 

Before he left he set a table to dine and 
declared what’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine!
Enjoy my bride and in three days hence 
you and I shall sup together as lady and gent. 

”What are you going to do my love?”
“I’m going to teach that dragon not to mess with my lady with eyes of a dove.
Your eyes ravish me my lady my bride. Wait for me while I destroy the Dragon’s lies!”

And with His heavy load and dirty clothes my prince, my knight went into the cave,
with no thought for himself but only for me to save.

For three days I waited and the fight went on.
At one point I thought my prince was gone. 
But on the third day just as he said, 
He galloped towards me on his trusty stead.

He no longer was dirty and weighted down tight.
He was free, clean and dressed like me in a garment of white.
It’s time for our wedding my lady my bride and we ate and supped
While the bound up dragon watch and sighed.

Into my chambers now my bride my love.
I have new gifts for you from my Father above.
Peace, joy, contentment and trust; 
the gifts kept coming until I thought my heart would bust.
But I haven’t anything to give you I sighed.
Oh but you already have, your heart my bride.

We then entered into his chambers and the secrets we shared were so intimate and fine.
I never new life could be so sublime.
Kindness, love, righteousness and joy,
My Bridegroom roars and the dragon shakes like a wee boy.
“She’s not yours! She’s is mine!”
And in the chambers after we have supped,
together we drink of the marriage cup. 

City of Windsor ON Canada - Events/Chat/Postings

• If your from the Windsor area... u NEED to join this group and keep up with whats going on around the city... post events.. stuff your selling... whatever ya want.... invite your friends to join too!!...

For those of you living in the Windsor/Detroit area this may be of interest to you!

https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/unclaimedtreasures

Feel free to join my group on google.  Share your ideas, meet new people - have fun!

How can the church more effectively reach the ever growing single adult population?

Let's discuss frugal but fun dating ideas.  In this economy one has to be creative when it comes to spending time with that special someone.  I mean it's hard enough getting to know another person without the added stress of a big budget.  So I will be sharing some of my ideas and am looking forward to hearing some of yours!

Prayer for a Mate

Single Female/Male Trusting God for a Mate

Father, in the name of Jesus, I believe that You are providing Your very best for __________ and that the man who will be united with __________ in marriage has awakened to righteousness. Father, as You have rejoiced over Jerusalem, so shall the bridegroom rejoice over __________. Thank You, Father, that he will love __________ as Christ loves the Church. He will nourish, carefully protect and cherish __________.

Father, I believe, because he is Your best, that doubts, wavering and insincerity are not a part of him; but he speaks forth the oracles of God, acknowledging Your full counsel with all wisdom and knowledge. He does not speak or act contrary to the Word. He walks totally in love, esteeming and preferring others higher than himself.

Father, I believe that everything not of You shall be removed from __________’s life. And I thank You for the perfecting of Your Word in her life that she may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Father, I praise You for the performance of Your Word in her behalf. Amen.

If you would like to continue to pray on this topic, Germaine suggests that you pray the Prayers for the Needs and Concerns of the Individual to be found in the Prayers That Avail Much Commemorative Edition. You may also wish to refer to prayers specifically for women in Prayers That Avail Much for Women

Scripture References:
Isaiah 62:5 James 3:17
Ephesians 5:25 Proverbs 8:8

Does God Care What Happens To Me?

Is God Interested in What Happens to Me?
Exodus 2:23-25
loneliness. Heartache. Bereavement. Confusion. Bondage. Tragedy. Crisis.
Bad health. Unemployment. Misunderstandings. An impossible situation. A
stagnant prayer life. A feeling of being bogged down.
The chances are very likely that if you are a human being, you’ve experienced each 
of these at one time or another. You may be going through one of them right now. 
The difficulties in your life may have forced you to the point where you dread 
getting out of bed in the morning, or going to work. You may be afraid to answer 
the phone or open your mail box, fearful of the possibility of more bad news, or 
another crisis you just can’t handle.
You come to church services, but you are unable to concentrate on worshipping 
God because your problems and concerns loom so large. You stand with the rest of 
the congregation and sing hymns such as “It is Well with My Soul,” or “I’ve Got 
Peace Like a River.” You read the comforting passages of Scripture. You hear a 
few words of a sermon. But in the end you go home, back to your heartache and 
loneliness and impossibilities, and in your hurt you cry out to God: “God, do you 
really care about me? Are you really interested in what happens to me?”
In our Scripture passage for today, one can see every one of those problems and 
more. As slaves in Egypt, the Hebrews knew bondage. They knew loneliness and 
heartache. They knew bad health and crises and impossible situations of all kinds. 
They, too, dreaded to face another day. And they, too, cried out in their anguish to 
God.
And in these few little verses, we see truths so beautiful and so overwhelming that 
you can fully believe them only if you have personally experienced them. These 
truths tell us about God, and they tell us that yes! God really does care about what 
happens to us. And just as God responded to the cries and groanings of the Hebrew 
people in Egypt, the loving, compassionate Heavenly Father responds to the 
deepest needs of our hearts today. How does He do that?
God hears, v. 24
We read in verse 23, “The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, 
and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.” In verse 24, 
we see the first response God makes to His children when they cry out to 
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Him: “God heard their groaning….” These people were slaves, and their lives 
were far from being easy and comfortable. It isn’t really clear whether these cries 
were actually prayers that the people were offering up to God, or whether these 
were cries of anguish—probably both—but God heard them. The original Hebrew 
language tells us something beautiful about how much God really cares: God was 
doing more than merely “hearing”; He was “paying attention” to their cries. That’s 
what the word “heard” really means here, and it conjures up in our minds the 
picture of God dropping everything else He’s doing to listen, to pay attention to the 
cries of His children.
Have you ever felt as Job did? “For sighing comes to me instead of food; my 
groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has 
happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”
(3:24-26) Or Jeremiah? “My groans are many and my heart is faint.” Or have you 
ever done what David did? “I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell 
my trouble.”
Then listen to the precious words of the Scriptures: “Know that the Lord has set 
apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him” (Psalm 4:3). “In 
my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he 
heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears” (Psalm 18:6). “The 
righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their 
troubles” (Psalm 34:17). “The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer 
of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29).
Those are beautiful words, but they are more than just beautiful. They are nothing 
but the truth! God hears! God pays attention to my griefs and my loneliness and 
my heartaches! God pays attention and knows the problem before I am even sure 
of it myself.
Sometimes we have trouble believing that, though. When everything is going just 
fine in our lives, it’s easy to believe that God cares and that God hears. But when 
our world caves in, our faith in God is tested and stretched to the breaking point. 
It’s not as easy to believe that God pays attention then. But listen to what Marvin 
Drake wrote in “The Catholic Digest”: “If radio’s slim fingers can pluck a melody 
from out of the night and toss it over mountains and the sea; if the petal-white 
notes from a violin are blown across the desert and the city’s din; if songs, like 
crimson roses, are caught from thin blue air—why should mortals wonder if God 
answers prayer?”www.timothyreport.com / © 2010 S. M. Henriques Page 3
Why, indeed? It may be because we have the attitude about prayer and the way 
God answers prayer that was illustrated in a comic strip. A little girl sat in her high 
chair, her head bowed, her hands folded, an angelic expression on her sweet face, a 
bowl sitting on the tray before her. She prays “Abba Dabba Ahmin!” She tastes her 
food, and puts her spoon down before saying once more “Abba Dabba AHMIN!” 
When she tastes her food the second time, she sticks out her tongue and says, 
“STILL tastes like mush!”
Friends, we have a God who pays attention, but He doesn’t change mush into steak 
to satisfy our whims and desires. If it fit into His eternal plan, I’m sure God would 
and could change mush into steak or anything else He wanted. And sometimes 
what you and I ask for and expect in our prayers and groanings before God sounds 
just as childish. We act like we think God has nothing better to do than to sit on 
His great white throne and change F grades into A grades on our tests at school, or 
bad decisions into good ones, or to wave a magic wand and make everything sail 
smoothly in our day to day lives.
Who knows what kind of miracles God may be preparing you for? Who knows 
what benefits your life will receive because you are walking through the darkness 
right now? Who knows what compassion you will learn for others because you are 
hurting? God doesn’t cause all pain and grief, but you and I as children of the King 
can know that God hears! We worship and serve a God who pays attention!
God remembers, v. 24
The very next thing we see about how God responds to the cries of His 
people is found in verse 24: “He remembered his covenant with Abraham, 
with Isaac and with Jacob.” This covenant that God had made with 
Abraham, and had validated with Isaac and Jacob, was the very touchstone of the 
people of Israel. Everything in their lives revolved around the covenant of 
faithfulness God had made with them. And all through the Old Testament, we see 
the concept of the relationship between God and His people. The emphasis was 
that regardless of Israel’s faithfulness or lack of it, God was always faithful. The 
key idea here in this verse and throughout the Scriptures is that God is dependable. 
You can count on God to be faithful!
And when we read in verse 24 that God remembered His covenant, it simply 
means that God knew the time was right for the fulfillment of the covenant. It was 
time for God to act on behalf of His people to give them what He had promised to 
give them.
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How nice it is to be remembered! When you meet someone you haven’t seen for 
years, how good it is to hear that person call your name, as if he had only seen you 
yesterday. When you have a birthday, it always feels good to have loved ones
remember you on that special day. You may be like the woman who wrote this 
little poem, “A husband is the kind of man who drives me to a rage: he can’t recall 
my birthday, but always knows my age.” Well, we like to be remembered about 
most things, anyway.
Especially when we are hurting. Especially when we are lonely. Especially when 
we are burdened, and the weight of our burden nearly breaks us. Especially when 
we feel that no one cares, that “nobody knows the trouble” we’ve seen. That is 
when we have the promise from God that He really does care about what happens 
to us; He really is interested in our lives. He really does remember. He really is 
dependable!
And there is nothing that happens to any of God’s children that goes unnoticed by 
God. The Scriptures remind us that when Noah, his family and all the animals had 
been floating in that ark for 150 days, that “God remembered Noah….” (Genesis 
8:1). When God sent the angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and the other 
cities in the valley, we are told that God remembered Abraham and his prayer to 
save Lot (Genesis 19:29). But listen to this: “But Zion said, “The Lord has 
forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a mother forget the baby at her 
breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may 
forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; 
your walls are ever before me” (Isaiah 49:14-16).
God remembers! We are engraved on the palms of the hands of God. Even though 
we read in the papers of mothers who have tossed their infant children out in boxes 
in a parking lot, or in dumpsters, even though it is possible for a mother to forget 
her newborn baby, God says that He will never forget us. God is dependable.
God sees, v. 25
“So God looked on the Israelites….” God heard their cries and God 
remembered the promise He had given to them. And God took notice. The 
word “heard” meant more than just hearing; the word “saw” means more 
than just looking. The Hebrew word here means that God was experiencing the 
hurts and griefs of His people. In several places in the Old Testament we see that 
the words “saw” or “see” are synonymous with experiencing something. When the 
Psalms speak of seeing death, the meaning is that of experiencing death. When the 
people spoke up to Jeremiah and said, “We will never see the sword of famine,” 
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they meant that they would never experience death by the sword or by famine. 
When God saw the people of Israel, not only did God notice them, but He was 
going through their hurts and problems with them. Those griefs were His griefs, 
too. God was carefully examining the situation, totally understanding what was 
happening.
Hagar, fleeing from Sarai, was stopped by God and told to return to her mistress. 
She said, “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13). I heard someone 
paraphrase this once like this: “God loves you so much He can’t take His eyes off 
you.” God is vitally interested, and loves each of us so much, that He can’t move 
His Eternal Eyes away from us!
Julia Ward Howe wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” One day she was 
talking to Charles Sumner, who was serving as Senator from Massachusetts. She 
asked him to become involved in the case of a person who needed help from 
someone influential. The Senator answered, “Julia, I’ve become so busy that I can 
no longer concern myself with individuals.” Mrs. Howe replied, “Charles, that is 
quite remarkable. Even God hasn’t reached that stage yet.”
Today, we can praise His name that He hasn’t. We worship a God who sees! He is 
not blind, that He does not notice the troubles we face, the heartaches we endure, 
the griefs we bear. He is not ignorant of the tragedies we suffer. You can know 
from Scripture as well as from personal experience that God sees!
God knows, v. 25
The remainder of verse 25 tells us that God “was concerned about them.”
That is the way the NIV reads, but I don’t particularly care for the way this 
verse is translated there. The KJV says, “God had respect unto them,” and I 
don’t like that one, either. The NAS reads, “God took notice of them,” which 
comes closer to the original than the others, in my opinion. I believe the words 
used in this verse indicate that God “knew” what was going on in their lives. He 
was completely aware of their situation. 
Here is what I base this on. The word used here is also used in the opening 
chapters of Genesis, where we read in the KJV that Adam “knew” Eve, his wife.
The word for “to know” means to experience something on an intimate basis. 
Adam and Eve shared in a personal, sexual, intimate relationship. They gave all 
they had to each other. And I firmly believe that whenever we read that God 
“knows” us, that that means God is personally involved with us on an intensely 
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intimate basis. It’s not sexual, of course, but God gives us all there is of Him. He 
holds nothing back. He knows us.
God hears, God remembers, God sees—but at the crowning point of our 
relationship with God is that eternal fact that God knows. He knows my trouble; 
He knows my heartache; He knows the reason for my restlessness; He knows my 
name. He knows everything about me. He knows—and understands—things about 
me that I don’t even know or understand about myself!
When the Bible tells us that God knew what the people of Israel were experiencing 
there in Egypt, that means He knew because He was experiencing it with them. He 
didn’t know it because one of His top angels reported the conditions to Him. He 
knew it because He was intimately involved with His people. He had entered into 
their worlds, to share their suffering.
And that is exactly what God does for His people today. There is nothing that 
happens to any of us that God is not aware of, or that God is not personally 
involved in. We are told in 1 Peter 5:7 to “Cast all your anxieties, all your cares, 
on Him, for He cares about you.” And wonder of wonders! He does care! He 
knows and He cares!
That is what Jesus was trying to teach His disciples. “Are not five sparrows sold 
for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of 
your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many 
sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7). And one of the most assuring verses in the Psalms is 
found in Ps 115:12a—“The Lord remembers us and will bless us.”
The Lord knows us! And no matter what your personal Egypt looks like, no matter 
where it is or how long you’ve been there, God knows your circumstances, and 
even though the circumstances and the apparent silences of God may say to you 
that God doesn’t care, rest assured that God knows, that God is mindful of you, 
that even now He is working actively on your behalf to guide you through your 
personal wilderness into all the riches of a spiritual Promised Land.
“God heard…God remembered…God saw…God knew.” That is how God 
responded to His people then, and that is how He responds to His people now.
The challenge on this day is to ask you: Won’t you commit and surrender yourself 
to a God who pays attention, who is dependable, who loves you so much He can’t 
take His eyes off you, and who is intimately involved in your life