“These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household . . . All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons . . . the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them” (1:1-7). My thoughts, here at the beginning of 2021, have been much focused on the faithfulness of God, and that even in the face of great rebellion and sin from those he has created. But, then, that’s what faithfulness is, isn’t it?
I looked up, in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of “faithfulness.” One entry read, “firm in adherence to promises.” Whoa! That’s our God, isn’t it? He promised Abraham a son and many descendants. And here they are! And the promise of a land they could call their own? Well, that’s coming. But for a long season, the days grew dark, and the people were terribly mistreated by the Egyptians; even their babies were being slaughtered. But God spoke: “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them” (3:7,8).
In difficult times, Satan would have us believe the lie that God has forgotten us. But he has not, and he had not forgotten his people in Egypt. And, so, to the amazement of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, with Moses, God began the deliverance of his people. Their enemies were amazed, but we should not be, for our God knows us and keeps us. Centuries later, the prophet Nahum provided great hope: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him” (Nahum 1:7). Today, and every day, he is our refuge! “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).