A Biblical Mantra for Difficult Days

According to the online dictionary, a mantra is "a word or phrase that is often repeated or that expresses someone's basic beliefs."  When it comes to Christianity, some of the most-used mantras include passages like Psalm 23, Psalm 91, and individual verses like Philippians 4:13.  When choosing a mantra from the Bible, you can't go wrong as long as you're quoting the verse correctly and in context. (We've discussed this before, but if you're not sure to what I'm referring, feel free to contact me.)

I know a lot of Scripture, though not as much as I should.  And when troubles arise, I'm quick to search for a verse that will bring comfort to me during that particular circumstance.  Sometimes it's easy because verses immediately pop into my mind, but during the darker days, I have to pull out my worn copy of There's a Verse for That to find what I'm looking for.

This morning, however, I came across a couple of verses that are guaranteed to cover any situation or emotional struggle I may face.  If I can remember this one passage (or at the very least, the mantra I can glean from this passage), I'll never have to search for comfort again.  These two verses cover it all.  Are you intrigued?  Good!  Have a great day.  (Just kidding, I'm going to tell you!)

And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. (Exodus 3:7-8)

Now you're probably confused, right?  What does this have to do with your problems?  Well, in this passage, Israel was in trouble, and in these couple of verses we see God's response to their predicament, and because God is not a respecter of persons, we can be assured He will respond to us in the same way.  If you read back through those verses very carefully, you'll find our new mantra.  Ready?

God sees.
God hears.
God knows.
God comes to the rescue.

Woohoo, I've got glory bumps!

God sees the circumstances we're facing.  He sees the sorrow of our heart and the tears on our face.  He sees the heartbreak, the frustration, the hopelessness.  He sees it all.

God hears our cries and our torment.  He hears the pain in our voice and the hoarseness of our pleas.  He hears the taunts the enemy throws our way and our own words of discouragement and fear.  God hears it all.

God knows.  He knows how long we've been waiting.  He knows how much we've suffered.  He knows the road has been rough and we're ready to quit.  He knows because He's been there.

Just when we feel we are all alone.  When we are ready to throw in the towel.  When it seems we can't take another step, God reminds us that He's here.  He has never left us.  He's been watching, listening and understanding--waiting for His perfect timing to make His presence known.  He was there all along, and now He's here to rescue us.

We see this story play out time and time again throughout the Bible.  Though the people and circumstances vary, God's gameplan remains the same:  He sees, He hears, He knows, He rescues.  And we serve the same God.  The One Who is unchanging.  The One Who loves us and cares for us.  The One Who knows what's best for us even when we can't see it.  We need to trust Him.  He has a plan, and if we constantly remind ourselves of that plan (our mantra), we'll find it easier to get through life no matter what comes our way.

So, let's say it again, and say it like we mean it.

God sees.
God hears.
God knows.
God comes to the rescue.

He's done it before, and He'll do it again.  Trust Him and keep these words close to your heart at all times.