This season we have heard stories of daring rescues, heroism and with the frigid temperatures we will hear of  more acts of rescuers risking their lives to help the helpless who are in peril.

As you read through the Bible one thing that comes up over and over again is God’s rescue of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It is one of the themes of the Bible. The Old Testament uses that as a touch stone. As does the New Testament. It is a big deal to God.

It’s a long story as to how they came to be slaves in Egypt. But a great story – read through Genesis – you’ll find mystery, deception, political intrigue, dysfunctional families by the bucket-load. Sin. Sex. Murder. Jealousy. Romance. Judgement. But you find a God Who is very active in the affairs of man.

He is a God Who hears, sees, communicates, loves, creates, initiates, rescues, redeems, promises, cares….

He saw the plight of His people in Egypt and sent a leader to bring them out to the Promised Land. (That’s another fantastic story you can read in Exodus!) Miracle after miracle…The 10 plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, providing water out of rocks, battles fought and won against all odds, territory gained…you really can’t make this stuff up! God is a mighty God who delivered His people by any means possible.

Why? Why did He bother with this small Middle Eastern tribe of nomads? Deuteronomy 7:7-9 tells us: “The Lord did not set his affection you you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Notice, He is a faithful God…He keeps His promises. When He makes a covenant, it is a big deal. He does what He says. He never fails to keep His end of the bargain. However, we do. We fail over and over. He doesn’t abandon us. He doesn’t give up on us. He doesn’t get mad, stomp His feet, pick up His marbles and go  home! He hangs in there with us…because He has redeemed us with the blood of His own Son. He loves us. We belong to Him.

But back to my original thought. Over and over in scripture we are reminded to remember the mighty hand of God who delivered His people out of Egypt. Why? It reveals God’s faithfulness and power. If He can do that for the Hebrew people He can do the same today for you and me.

Do you need a mighty God as you begin a the New Year? A faithful God to carry you through? Call on the Mighty God of the Hebrew people. He is able. Will. Ready…