Protected in the Pain
Scripture:
Exodus 1:11-12
“So the Egyptians assigned taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread.”
Devotional:
Sometimes, it’s hard to see the purpose in our pain. We wonder, "How can God allow this suffering?" We might even begin to think He's left us alone to endure hardship without purpose or protection.
But in today’s scripture, we see something remarkable: God was protecting and blessing the Israelites—even in their suffering. While Egypt intended oppression to weaken Israel, God used their trials to strengthen them, multiply them, and protect them from even greater harm.
What if your current season of difficulty isn’t just pain? What if it’s also protection? Like the Israelites, you might be in a tough place—but perhaps that hardship is keeping you from something worse. Maybe it’s shaping you, growing your faith, or protecting you from dangers you can’t even see.
Today, remember that God’s protection doesn’t always look like comfort. Sometimes, His greatest protection is found in hardship, difficulty, and struggle—because it's precisely in those moments that we become aware of our dependence on Him.
Questions for Reflection:
- Have you ever experienced God’s protection in a difficult season? What did that teach you about Him?
- How can recognizing that your struggles might be protecting you from something worse help you persevere?
Prayer:
Father, help me trust You when my circumstances feel overwhelming. Remind me that even when things seem difficult, You are working to protect, grow, and strengthen me. Help me see Your purpose even when I can't see clearly. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Daily Application:
Reflect on a challenging time you’ve already gone through. Identify one way God protected or blessed you through that trial. Write it down and let it strengthen your faith today.