Introduction to this study:
BE FREE…This is the title of the new study we are starting. This study will be a bit different from the last entry. We will be taking this study in small bite size sections, as we walk through the study of the book of Exodus. Here we’ll take a close look of the life of Moses; but also on how God’s people, the Israelites, were captives and in bondage. And how our God heard their cry, saw their suffering, and came to set the captive free! (Exodus 3:9-10)
All throughout scripture you see story after story, verse after verse of how even God’s people find themselves in captivity. Sometimes captivity is due to sin. When you look at the story of the prodigal son we see how sin caused him to run from the Father, which led him to a place of famine. (Luke 15:13-14) I am so thankful that no matter how far I run that there is nowhere that I can go that doesn’t take me right back into God’s love for me! (Romans 8:39)
However, the pathway to captivity isn’t always sin. The Israelites were in Egypt because of a famine. They were actually led there by God for provision. They dwelt there for 430 years (Exodus 12:40). What started off as a place of provision ended up being a place of captivity. Regardless of how we find ourselves in captivity, whether due to sin that results in our choices, like the prodigal, or we find ourselves taken into captivity based on circumstances outside of our choices, like the Israelites. The result is the same, both ended in bondage and chains that need to be broken.
We still live in a time where people are held captive. Sometimes they are in actual prisons, but more often the prisons we find ourselves in are invisible. They are prisons of fear, addiction, pornography, abusive or unhealthy relationships, mental illness, unforgiveness, worry, patterns of stinking thinking that have led us to self-destructive and bad habits that keep us in a pattern and cycle of sin and bondage. And we still have a God that hears our cry, sees our suffering, and has come to set the captive free! And when He sets us free, we are free indeed! (John 8:36)
Background of where the story begins: (Exodus 1:1-12)
This story begins where Jacob’s and his son’s story ends. Their entire generation had died off, including Joseph. A new king, who knew nothing of Joseph or what he had done, came into power. This king noticed how the Israelites were strong and outnumbered his people. So, he was worried that they might revolt against him. In efforts to diminish God’s people the Egyptians not only took them into captivity, but they were brutal slave drivers over them. But, even with this opposition God’s people continued to multiply and spread.
I’m quickly reminded of God’s promise to Abraham and how he would make him into a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). Again to Isaac He promised that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of the sky (Genesis 26:3-5). Our God keeps his promises and no man, circumstance, king, or kingdom for that matter; will ever stop God from fulfilling His will (Psalm 46:10)! This is a wonderful truth to remind yourself of when you feel like the odds are against you. You too have a word from God. Promises that He has spoken from His heart to yours. The real question is…are you going to be wise enough, or brave enough, to believe God! Or will you believe the lies and attacks of the enemy and allow him to enslave your mind with fear. Remember, the battleground is in our minds, choose to believe God. (John 17:17)
A few promises as believers we can cling to: (Truths to combat the lies of the enemy.)
When I feel like I can’t or that I’m too weak (2 Corinthians 12:8-10) (Philippians 4:13) (Psalm 73:23-26)
When I feel like I am alone (Hebrews 13:5) (Joshua 1:5) (Matthew 28:20) (Genesis 28:15) (Psalm 139:7-8)
When I feel like no one hears me (Micah 7:7) (Psalm 116:2) (Psalm 139:2)
When I’m afraid (Deuteronomy 31:6) (Joshua 1:9) (Isaiah 41:10-13) (Hebrews 13:6) (2 Timothy 1:7)
When I feel unloved (Jeremiah 31:3) (Romans 8:35-39) (Psalm 17:8) (Ephesians 3:18-19) (Psalm 36:5-7)
When I feel unwanted (I Peter 2:9) (Psalm 139:17) (I Corinthians 6:20)
Prayer
Father, I praise you for who you are! You are the most High God...the great I AM! You are a God who keeps His promises and is faithful even when we are not. I thank you for how you pursue us and how you are driven by your love for us. It drove you to the cross! Thank you for how your mercy and grace is new every day. Thank you for how you see us and you hear us. Who are we that you are mindful of us? Your love for us is greater than I can comprehend or put into words. But I praise you for it and fall at your feet in awe of you. I pray for the readers who have taken time to read this blog. I pray that you will do in their lives what only YOU can do! I pray that you would open their eyes of understanding and give them the ability to hear from you. I pray that you would prepare their hearts so they can receive your truth. We are desperate for you, meet us where we are, and change us for your glory. I pray all of this in the powerful wonderful name of Jesus - AMEN