Ever lived in Egypt? Some might say yes; most will say no. But, my guess is that at one time we all have lived in our own Egypt.
Egypt represented slavery to God’s children. They worked very hard there and died in bondage. No hope. A mere existence under constant threat of death. God saw their affliction and oppression by the Egyptians. He prepared Moses to bring the sons of Israel and their families out of Egypt.
Word spread that Moses had returned to lead them out of Egypt, directed by God. Human nature surely made them suspect this information to be a “too good to be true” rumor. Hard to believe it could happen, until the plagues began. Instructions were given for preparation of the first Passover. They were witness to the angel of death passing over the homes with the blood of a lamb brushed over the top and sides of the doorways. A sign to God they were covered by the sacrifice of a lamb. It was that last plague that was so convincing. Pharoah gave the word, allowing them to leave. You know the story. They began walking to freedom. Hit a wall at the Red Sea which was a frightening obstacle for them, but not for God.
When we decide to follow Jesus, we, like the doorposts, are covered in His blood. We are able to be in full communion with God. We are leaving our Egypt where we were enslaved to the things of the world. We leave our old self behind and walk toward a new fresh start. Redeemed.
Often, not always, we get to that new destination and it is hard. The children of God discovered they were in a dry, parched place. They saw no evidence of water or food beyond what they were able to carry when they began their journey. They began to whine and complain. They longed for the security of that old way of life. Though they were enslaved by it, oppressed and afflicted by it, at least they had food, water and shelter. Uncertainty and fear of the unknown before them, made them pine after the world they left.
Have you ever felt that way? No matter how hard you try, things are not going as planned. The old life without Jesus, had its perks. You start to wander back to the outskirts of Egypt. Peering over the border, you recall it seemed more fun back there, more friends. Your past wasn’t great but it was routine. My experience in revisiting Egypt was that the enemy wants us to think we are missing out. He desires that we return to bondage, be held captive in sin. He will try to convince us that things are worse with Jesus than before Him. Wrong! Scripture tells us he is a liar. The truth is not in him. He comes to devour and destroy. Remember that blood on the doorpost of every Hebrew family? Fast forward to the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary. That same blood that covers every believer in Christ, redeeming us from our sins. Our enemy was, is and will always be defeated because of that blood. He is a big talker. That is the only power he has. Endless talk. It all started in the garden with him talking. He is still doing it.
Returning to Egypt may bring temporary relief, but something will always be missing, no matter how many times we revisit. We will hear the voice of our Shepherd who led us out of our Egypt, calling us to come out, away with Him, once again. There may be the brief excitement of a homecoming. But, it will not last. We have to leave that place and follow Him. Jesus is the reason my Egypt is finally behind me. How about you? Have you made your last visit to Egypt? I found it impossible to live a joyful, happy life, with one foot following Jesus and one foot in Egypt.
~Scripture For Today~
Exodus 20:2
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (NASB)
Exodus 12:13
13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. (NASB)
Philippians 3:13-14
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Thank You for leading us out of Egypt. We thank You as well for the times You have found us stepping back in, thinking we were missing something. We are thankful for the blood of Jesus, that covers and redeems us from our old life. We pray for victory in our walk. We keep our eyes on the finish line as we press toward the goal. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.