God Knows

I enjoy reading different versions of the Bible for my devotions, because when a familiar story is told in a different way, it catches my attention. I was reading Exodus recently in the NLT version, and today’s verse really impacted me, especially where it says, ‘He knew it was time to act’. The KJV says, ‘God had respect unto them’. The NIV says, ‘was concerned about them’. The ESV says, ‘God saw the people of Israel – and God knew’. The original word translated ‘knew’ is the Hebrew word ‘yada’, which implies intimacy, care, concern, knowledge, and action.

God knew that the time had come for Him to act and set His people free. He knew they were ready. They did not realise that they were ready. Moses didn’t realise that he was ready. In Exodus 3, when God talks to Moses from the burning bush, Moses tried to convince God to send someone else to lead the people. But God knew that Moses was born to lead the people out of Egypt.

Later, the people were upset with Moses, because Pharaoh made their work harder after Moses talked to Pharaoh about letting the Israelites go. Exodus 6:9 tells us, ‘So Moses told the people of Israel what the Lord had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery’. But still, God knew, and He rescued them from Egypt in a mighty way.

I encourage you today that God knows you intimately, personally, and caringly. He wants to act on your behalf. And He knows what you can do. He will never give you more than you can handle with His help. When you are discouraged, think about how God rescued the Israelites. He will surely bring you out too!

Prayer: Father, thank You that You know me intimately. You know what I am ready to do. You know how I feel about everything. Please help me to be obedient to Your call on my life. Help me to trust You more. Amen.