“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel – and God knew.” (Exodus 2:23-24, ESV)
There were over 2,000 gods worshipped in Ancient Egypt. Two. Thousand. Who could keep track of all that?! Who would want to? I wonder, if apart from a select few, anyone ever realized there were that many? Because if someone were keeping regular tabs on the gods, how far would you have to go before you thought, “You know – maybe we’re getting a little carried away here…”? But here we are. 2,000 gods. All of them statues of stone or marble; decorated with paint and gold and extravagant jewels; sacrificed to, prayed to, lamented to, and entreated. All of them hollow. Man made. Unable to see, to hear, to speak, or to perceive in any way. When we read the passage above, look at what is highlighted. God hears. God remembers. God sees. God knows. These are all verbs of perception – but what does that mean? It means that God is alive! He is not a creation of our own hands or minds. He has no statue. No gold or jewels. But he is alive, and he perceives. Have you ever put your faith in something that was not alive? That could not hear you, or see you, or care for you in any way? Maybe a job, or money, or a car – the list could go on, but does it need to? God is alive. He sees us, and hears us, and knows us – and when we cry out, he is the only God who can answer. When you think about your “One Day” request – do you cry out to God for him to work? Do you trust that he sees you, and knows your request, and cares about it as deeply as you do? Do you believe that he will move on your behalf? He’s the only one who can. And he will – because he is alive.
Lord, thank you that you see us, and know us. Thank you that you are never far from us. Forgive us for putting our faith and hope in things that are not alive – that cannot hear us or save us. Forgive us for devotion that we may show to things we create. Help us to see you for who you really are – a God who lives. A God who sees. A God who knows. Thank you for your enduring love and endless pursuit. Amen.