The Twenty Third of JanuaryTHEIR CRY CAME UNTO GOD --- Exodus 1:12; 2:23, 25"But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. . . . And the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. . . . And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them." --- Exodus 1:12; 2:23, 25. The more we are oppressed by our spiritual and temporal enemies, the more will the kingdom of God increase in and through us. And when distress and dangers oppress us most, God hastens to our aid, and makes our necessity itself the means of our relief; for the ways of God are always wonderful. It was an extreme distress when the children of the Israelites were cast into the river; but this was the means of preserving Moses, their intended deliverer. When Moses came, they were not relieved immediately, for their calamities increased. This is God's method. But they cried the more unto God, and he relieved them by signs and wonders. After this, their distress was greater than ever at the Red Sea; for, after God has shown his glory in assisting us, he can still send greater trials. But when they were beset on all sides by distress and death, then came the most glorious succour of all, and their enemies perished in the Red Sea. Lord, suffer us not to despair in any extremity, but enable us to believe and experience that the greater our distress, the nearer and more glorious will be thy aid, and all our enemies will be consumed as stubble before the devouring flame.
Lord, I am thine; but thou wilt prove
What sinners value, I resign; |