The people of Israel had fallen on hard times. They were slaves in Egypt, far from their homeland. Where was God, the One who had promised them a land of their own and enough blessing to share with the whole world? Despite appearances, God was still with them, and God was still at work. And the same is true for us today: even when we cannot see what God is doing, and even when our lives look dark and uncertain, God is at work building His kingdom through people like you and me.