Exodus 2:24 says, “God heard their groaning …” Those are some powerful words. Things turned sour for the Israelites in Egypt after Joseph was gone and “a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt” (1:9). And, as result the Israelites were made to groan. Ch.1:11-14 spells out the reason for their groaning; the Egyptians “worked them ruthlessly,” “made their lives bitter with hard labour,” and “used them ruthlessly.”
Something similar happens in our lives when situations change—a new boss or supervisor comes along who knows nothing about us, we move into a new school or neighbourhood where we are not known. And suddenly the favour which we previously received turns to dislike, coldness, opposition, maybe oppression and even hatred. And, as result we groan.
But I like those 4 words, “God heard their groaning …” Folks, let us remind ourselves that the God we serve is not like the other so-called gods—He hears us when we cry out to Him. Elsewhere in the Word of God, it states, “In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears (2 Sam.22:7). The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; (Ps.34:15).
Like the Israelites (2:23), when we raise our cry for help. God hears and activates His rescue plan. The exodus did not come about simply because people were in trouble; it was the result of a prayer of lament for rescue to the only one who could actually do something about it.
Devotional from Pastor Jemmott.