On a second day of pain, sadness and uncertainty in West Philly following the killing of Walter Wallace Jr., I am remembering (and trying to put my confidence) in the truth and promise that The Lord hears the cries of the oppressed and remembers them (i.e, Exodus 2:23-25).

And his remembering is not a simple recollection- a well wishing fondness from a distance. It’s a personal, overwhelming act of powerful deliverance.

We saw it in the Exodus. A people remembered. A people set free.

We saw it at the cross. A people remembered. A people set free.

We will see it again at His Return . A people remembered. A people set free.

We pray for shadows of that final deliverance even now - “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven” (Mt. 6:10) - even this earth and this city.

Yet as we wait, and groan (Ex. 2:23), as our outer self is wasting away, let us not lose heart (2 Cor. 4:16ff). Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising its shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2).

Our groans do not go unheard. Our prayers will not be forgotten. Our King has come for us many times. He will not forget us now. Let us only follow where he leads. Even though he may lead us through greater sorrows and suffering first, we know the road of our following only leads to one place: home.