Tangled Threads
He heard their cry
In life’s darkest valleys, we often find ourselves crying out to God, waiting for His deliverance
It is important for us to all remember that God hears our cries, remembers His promises, and draws us closer to Him through trials.
In Exodus 2:23–25, the Israelites find themselves trapped under the weight of Egyptian slavery, their groans and cries rising to God.
God, ever faithful, responds by remembering His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He sees their suffering, hears their cries, and prepares to act. For us today, these verses offer a clear message: God is never distant or indifferent to our struggles.
Whether it’s physical pain, emotional turmoil, or spiritual wandering, He sees it all and remembers His promises to us. Personally, these verses mirror many of my own moments of crying out to God, particularly during times when I wasn’t even sure if I’d be heard. But much like the Israelites, I was — and still am — always heard.
God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. (Exodus 2:24 ESV)
God’s response to the Israelites’ groaning shows His covenant-keeping nature. In my own life, there have been moments where I questioned whether I could ever fully understand what it means to suffer compared to others in the world — or even compared to my Savior.
Have I faced hardship? Yes, but how does my experience of pain measure up against global suffering? Yet, pain is pain, and my physical suffering came in the form of degenerative disk disease. I endured severe back pain that made everyday tasks, like walking or standing, nearly impossible.
At its worst, I couldn’t even make it through a trip to the grocery store without considering using one of those motorized carts. The pain was so intense, I remember leaning over a grocery cart like it was a lifeline.
I prayed for deliverance — desperate to run in the park with my kids without collapsing in pain. I sought medical help, and eventually, physical therapy and lifestyle changes brought relief. But I also believe it was God who gave me the willpower to keep fighting through it.
Charles Spurgeon, in his Morning and Evening Devotional (1866), reminds us that “God’s promises are like the stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine.” I clung to promises like Jeremiah 29:11 during these times, knowing that God’s plan for me, even in my moments of deep pain, was for good.
So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. (Exodus 2:25 ESV)
God sees our suffering. I know this because I’ve lived it. At one point, I hit rock bottom — though it wasn’t as glamorous as some might think. It wasn’t the “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” lifestyle you hear about… mostly because I wasn’t a wealthy rock star.
I just had the mess without the benefits. I was living recklessly, ignoring God, and making choices that only deepened my distance from Him. It got to the point where I seriously contemplated ending my life. I was trapped in sin and poor decisions, chasing after everything the world promises will make you happy. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t.
At that moment, I did what the Israelites did: I groaned under the weight of my circumstances and cried out to God. Psalm 51 became my prayer:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:10–12, NIV).
That night, in my brokenness, I realized that what I needed more than anything wasn’t just a change in my circumstances — it was salvation.
This was the night I believed I was truly saved. God saw me in the mess I had made, and like the father of the Prodigal Son, He welcomed me back with open arms.
Charles Spurgeon’s words echo this truth: “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still” (Morning and Evening Devotional, 1866). In that pit, I discovered just how deep God’s love could reach, and that night changed everything.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12, ESV)
Like the Israelites, my deliverance wasn’t instantaneous. It took years of walking with God to rebuild my life after I had hit rock bottom. After realizing my need for God, I entered a season of change — reading the Bible, surrounding myself with godly men, and making intentional decisions to abstain from the destructive behaviors that had led me astray. I asked God to teach me how to live wisely, to help me see the fleeting nature of life and make my days count.
I didn’t know at the time that all of this would eventually lead to meeting my wife, a blessing that I now see as part of God’s redemptive plan for my life.
Matthew Henry, in his Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706), reminds us that “God does not forget his promises though he may defer the performance of them; he will remember his covenant, though we have broken ours.” This period of waiting and healing shaped me into someone who could better receive the good things God had for me.”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
I’ve held tightly to promises like Jeremiah 29:11 throughout my life, especially during times of trial. Verses like Psalm 51:10–12, which speak to God’s mercy and the desire for a pure heart, and Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, which reminds me that there’s a time for everything, have carried me through my darkest moments.
These promises have not only given me hope but have also helped me see that, no matter how far I wander, God’s plans for my life are good.
I’d love to hear from my readers: What promises from God have carried you through your darkest moments? How have they shaped your faith and trust in His plan for your life?
The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. (Exodus 2:23, ESV)
Looking back on my life, I can see how my own groaning — my cries for help — were heard by God. Much like the Israelites, I was trapped in a kind of spiritual slavery, weighed down by my own sin and poor choices. But just as God heard the Israelites and set in motion their deliverance, He heard me and began His work in my life.
Matthew Henry once said, “The time of God’s appearing for his people is when their strength is gone,” (Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1706). If you find yourself feeling like you’ve run out of strength, know that this is when God steps in. He hears you, sees you, and will deliver you in His perfect timing.
Join the Conversation
What promises from God have sustained you through your most challenging moments? Have you ever felt like you were at rock bottom, crying out to God for deliverance? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments — I’d love to hear how God has worked in your life and what promises continue to give you hope.
Published for Koinonia
It’s my pleasure to share my writing on Koinonia, a publication that values Christian fellowship and community. Koinonia, pronounced / ˌkoinəˈnēə /, is a Greek word meaning fellowship, and our editors are dedicated to sharing the Good News with the belief that the Bible is without error and all scripture is authoritative. Please consider checking out my other writings, and feel free to explore the rich, faith-filled content on Koinonia.
Check out my new blog series, Tangled Threads: Exploring the Weave of Perspective, Purpose, and Providence, where I delve into personal stories through the lens of scripture. Inspired by Ecclesiastes 4:12, these stories show how the tangled threads of our past — knotted with pain and confusion — are ultimately strengthened by faith and hope.
The opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the views or positions of my employer.
I’m a dad who blogs about the intersections of life, faith, family, and technology. These are the threads that weave through my personal and spiritual walk.
© Dave Hallmon September 27, 2024
