Hurting and Hearing

And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; (Exodus 3:7)



Photo of Train Wreck

When we are experiencing deep sorrow or difficult circumstances, we may feel offended if someone suggests that something good can emerge from our adversity.

Cars are Piled up Among Debris from Hurricane Katrina
A well-meaning person who tries to encourage us to trust God's promises may be perceived as insensitive or even unrealistic.

That happened to the children of Israel when God was working for their deliverance from Egypt.
As Pharaoh hardened his heart toward the Lord's command to let His people go, he increased the Hebrew slaves' workload by forcing them to gather the straw they needed to make bricks.

And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and thy spoke to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it; yet not any of your work shall be diminished. (Exodus 5: 10-11)

They became so discouraged, they couldn't accept Moses' assurance that God had heard their cries and promised to take them to a land of their own.




During the Exodus Moses Strikes a Rock
and Obtains a Supply of Water for the Israelites

There are times when our hurts and fears can close our ears to the hopeful words of God. But the Lord doesn't stop speaking to us when it's hard for us to hear.

He continues working on our behalf just as He did in delivering His people from Egypt.

As we experience God's compassion and His loving care, we can begin to hear again even as the hurt continues to heal. --(David McCasland)

O yes, He cares--I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares. -- (Graeff)

Even when we don't sense God's presence,
His loving care is all around us.

Mimi