The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

- from Exodus 2:23-25

At this point in the narrative in Exodus 2, the camera zooms way out, away from the domestic troubles of Moses and out to a bigger view of the Hebrew people and their God.

All of this happened after a long time.

Years and years of slavery come and go. And year after year their cry for help went up to God.

And there’s good news.

God heard.

God remembered his covenant.

God looked down on the Israelites.

God was concerned about them.

God hears.

God remembers.

God sees.

God cares.

He hears us when we pray. He listens. He pays attention. He’s not too busy and not too important and not too distracted. Your every word catches his attention. Your cries don’t bounce off the ceiling.

God hears.

And he remembers. He hasn’t forgotten a single promise. He hasn’t abandoned a single vow. He will do what he said he will do in you and for you, for your salvation and for your good.

God remembers.

And he sees. Nothing escapes his holy vision. He witnesses everything. He isn’t willfully ignorant or deceived. Details aren’t slipping through the cracks with him. He has the right diagnosis and all the necessary data. Nothing gets past him.

God sees.

And he cares. What good would it do you if he saw it all, remembered it all, and heard it all, but didn’t care at all? He cares deeply. He’s moved with compassion, moved enough to rip the heavens open and descend to earth himself. He is emotionally involved. He loves us. He loves you.

God cares.

This is good news.