working a mighty miracle

I'm reading Exodus again. It is interesting to liken this unto myself. In no way have I been in bondage, so how is that to be done?

"And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them." Exodus 1:7

Many scholars I've read lately, including Skousen, bring out these points.

“The fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham required that Israel should become numerous. To accomplish this, the little family, numbering only 70 persons ( Genesis 46:26–27 ), needed sufficient time and a peaceful place in which to grow. Egypt was that place. . . .

. . . Palestine was a battleground for warring nations that moved back and forth in their conquests between the Nile and the Euphrates. Israel would have found no peace there. They required stable conditions for their eventual growth and development. . . .

Their bondage certainly was not all on the negative side. It too served a good purpose. The cruelty of the taskmasters, the hatred that existed between the Hebrews and the Egyptians, and the length of their trying servitude fused Jacob’s children into a united people. . . .

The hatred they felt toward the Egyptians prevented intermarriage between the Hebrews and their neighbors. To reap the benefits of the Abrahamic promises, Israel had to remain a pure race, and the Lord used this means to achieve it. . . .

Yes, Egypt had her role in the Lord’s mighty drama, and she played it well.

At the end of 430 years, the Lord now decreed that the time had arrived for Israel to occupy her own land and there become that ‘peculiar people’ who would await the coming of their Messiah.” (Petersen, Moses, pp. 27–30.)

With this I can look at the trials and tribulations in my life. Although small in comparison with slavery, they have been difficult for me. If I instead turn them around and try to locate a purpose, I can see that some terrible things have led me toward good. The merciless teasing endured in elementary school, led me to look beyond my school "friends" for love. I found Jesus Christ willing and ready to love and comfort me. My upbringing, which was sometimes difficult, helped me learn obedience and compassion, cleanliness and organizational skills (or at least a drive to have them.) The death of my beloved little Katie has taught me to cherish my family and not squander time. I could go on. The message of the first chapter is clear. Although we may not understand the blessings of a burden, we should endure it well. The Lord understands, because he is working a mighty miracle in each of our lives. Maybe the manifestation of the miracle will not be as spectacular as The Exodus, however each of us has a mission to perform, if we accept it.