Hope

Exodus 4:31 "And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped."

In the previous verses we find Moses through Aaron telling the people that God has heard their cries and is about to deliver them from the pain and suffering of bondage under the hand of Pharaoh, King of Egypt.  Can you imagine how they listened with baited breath and hung on every word that Moses had to say about his meeting with Jehovah?  As he explained in minute detail all that was said can't you hear them saying, "Now Moses don't leave out one detail." and "What did He look like?" and "Were you scared?" and  "Now exactly what did He say again about delivering us, when will it begin, how long will it take and where will we go when we leave here?"  When Aaron had finished speaking and answering whatever questions the people had, the Bible said they "bowed their heads and worshipped."

I love this passage. In my Bible I wrote the word "Hope" after verse 31 because of the wellspring of happiness and joy obviously felt by the people and no wonder why!  How would you feel if you knew without a shadow of doubt that God has heard your prayers and was about to answer them?  This is what stuck out in my mind as I contemplated this meeting.  

We know that God hears our prayers.  I will list several prayer promises but the Bible contains countless others for our benefit.

Matthew 7:11 "If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things unto them that ask him?"

John 15 "If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you."

Matthew 21:22 "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

My point this morning is that God does in fact hear the prayers of the righteous. How exciting it is to know that He hears you and having the faith to believe that He is going to answer is not only mind-boggling but offers incredible strength as we depend on Him for our every need. 

This truth empowers my prayer life...knowing He hears my prayer and Him knowing I believe in His omnipotent power to give me good things.  THIS IS HOPE!