As I think back over this last year, I consider the good and the painfully not-so-good events. To start, I finally published a book after eighteen years of longsuffering and hard work. Joy abounds as I’ve watched God’s faithfulness bring it to fruition. However, even with the success, I’ve had emotional setbacks with health issues. In addition to my existing chronic illnesses, I’ve received a new and rare auto-inflammatory diagnosis. In turn, I’m grieving my losses. Joy and heartache. I’m living in the tension of both.
The children of Israel also experienced a long history of good and bad. In God’s covenant promise, He foretold Abraham his family would grow from one––to the incalculable number of stars in heaven (Gen 15:5, NIV). Indeed, a recognizable blessing.
In contrast to the blessing, God also foretold of the 430 years of mistreatment and His promise to deliver His people (Gen 15:13-14, NIV). Over many years, the Israelites endured savage slavery to a ruler who cared little for their comforts or dreams for the future. But God did. He heard their cries and delivered them.
What Can We Learn About God to Strengthen Our Hope For The Days Ahead?
First, His timing is perfect.
“At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the Lord’s divisions left Egypt.” ~ Exodus 12:41 (NIV)
I wonder why God made them wait so long. Yet, I marvel by which the exact timing God rescued them. If He could deliver His peoples’ sufferings to end on a designated day, we may grow in confidence with God in all that He allows. At times, our hardships feel as if they will never end. Yet, we persevere knowing God’s precise timing makes us trust Him, increasing our hope for upcoming and unknown events in the year ahead. Knowing the first truth, we place our hope in the next truth.
Second, His power delivers us.
God is a Faithful Deliverer When We Put Our Trust in Him
“The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen––the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.” ~Exodus 14:28 (NIV)
God wanted to show His divine power in order for the people to put their trust in Him (Ex 14:31, NIV). Consider the shrill victory cry the Israelites uttered as the sea waves clashed together swallowing hundreds of horsemen and chariots into the unforgiving depths (Ex 15:1-18, NIV). This year God will grant us unexpected blessings, and God will likely put us to the test with tough unforeseen experiences. Like the Israelites, we may question, God do you care? (Ex 14:11). Yes, God hears our cries and knows our anxious thoughts. God’s faithful deliverance of His people strengthens our trust muscles to put our hope in God. In addition, we put our hope in His Son.
Jesus modeled God’s timing and deliverance.
Galatians 4:4 tells us that when time had peaked to the right moment, God sent His Son born of a woman. And in Matthew, “He came to save his people from their sins (Matt 1:21b, NIV).” Now that’s good news. But that’s not all. Jesus is coming again. No one knows the time, but we ground our thoughts in His word, being certain the last enemy abolished is death (I Cor 15:26, NIV). Let’s stand firm in daily faith and expectation of God’s protection over our afflictions and deliverance even in death.
How Does God’s Timing and Deliverance Bring Hope to Your Heart For A New Year?
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for Your abundant supply in helping my needs this last year, even in the difficult circumstances which grew my faith. Help me see Your faithful hand and willingness to deliver me from all my enemies in the coming year. Because You go before me, I put my hope in You. Amen.
Leave a Reply