Dear friends,
On the 12th day of June 2018 our country will commemorate the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence Day. Our country was under Spain’s rule for 333 years until the day we gained our freedom.
In the Bible in Exodus 12:40, the Israelites were in Egypt for 430 years. Most of those years were spent in slavery. They were praying and groaning to God that they will have their freedom. What can we learn from the experience of the Israelites?
First, God sees our every situation and is concerned about our suffering. Exodus 3:7 says, “The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” Our God is a God of freedom. God does not want us to be in an oppressive situation – as a victim or the perpetrator. If you are suffering right now, then be rest assured that God sees you and is concerned about your situation.
Second, God has a wonderful plan for each one of us. For the Israelites, the plan of God, as promised to Abraham, was to bring them to the Promised Land. Exodus 3:8 affirms this plan of God – “So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey…” God is true to His promises, and we can count on Him. Let us claim the promises of God for He will surely bring it into completion.
Third, God surely hears our prayers. Exodus 3:9 says, “And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.” Let us not think that our prayers are futile. Let us continue on praying for God is listening. Prayer is not a one shot deal. We also need to listen to the responses of God. Let us remember that God can talk to us in many ways, even in mysterious ways. Pray and listen.
Fourth, God sends people to rescue and help other people. In Exodus 3:10, God sent Moses to Egypt with a mission – “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” This means that God is calling people to lead other people out of their misery, suffering and disappointments. Let it be that as Christians we will answer the call to be a channel of God’s liberation.
May we all experience freedom in Jesus Christ!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director
Office of Communications
Central Philippine University