He Hears

The Lord told Moses from the burning bush that He had heard the cries of His people in Egypt and that He was now sending Moses to deliver the message that they were to be set free.

They had been in Egypt for nearly 430 years when God revealed that to Moses.

Why then?

Why did it take so long?

How long had they been asking?

Why hadn’t God brought them freedom sooner?

The answer has to be because the timing wasn’t right until it was right.

The children of Israel made their first appearance in Egypt when they travelled there in response to a severe famine, only to find that the brother they had sold into slavery had become the second highest ruler in the land.

Because the famine was so terrible and food so scarce, they had to dwell in Egypt to survive.

Decades before God had promised Abraham that his children would become a powerful nation, but as they traveled to Egypt they were only about seventy strong. That’s a big family but a very puny nation. The land they were to eventually inhabit was filled with mighty warriors who were poised to chew them up and spit them out had they shown up with that small a number.

God waited until they were about a million strong before calling them out.

The time was right after 400 years.

As you read this psalm today, understand that His timing is perfect for us as well. He hears and is answering. Trust Him, He knows exactly what He is doing.

“Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.” Psalm 86:1-7

Thank You, Jesus, that You do hear me and answer...at just the perfect time.