Were There No Graves In Egypt?
God says,
“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.”
Exodus 14:10-12
Longing for the leeks and garlic of Egypt
There are times in our lives when we are tempted to despair and accuse those around us of mishandling the dire situations we face. Realizing our circumstances, we glance back at where we came from. Many wonder, at that time, if it would have been better to have stayed put where they were. Hindsight becomes 20/10 when second guessing everything and everyone around us.
However Egypt, no matter how good it looks in retrospect, is, was, and will forever be synonymous with bondage. Breaking free of bondage is never an easy task. In fact, the longer we are bound, the harder it is to break free of it. To those who have known nothing else but slavery, the benefits of broken shackles, especially when it involves sacrifice, seems dubious at best. Given the unknown risks, we wonder if the costs of breaking the chains that bind are even worth the trouble.
Freedom can be scary
Some people, who stay in prison a long time, become “institutionalized”. This means that some become so accustomed to incarceration, they find the thought of freedom terrifying. Many Christians, bound so long by legalism, find freedom from bondage terrifying too. Satan tempts some, when things get rough, to long for the comfort and security of their former chains.
The Devil always tries to prevent our deliverance. For him, it is a battle to the death, and he has nothing to lose by risking everything to keep us in chains. However, Christ shed his blood for each one of us, and Satan is a defeated foe. Though the final battle has not yet taken place, fallen Lucifer’s faith is sealed and there is no escape. Here is a truth,
“As God stood with the children of Israel at the Red Sea, Pharaoh’s army was “as good as dead” even before it arrived.”
God demonstrates, through parting the Red Sea, His ability to deliver anyone out of any circumstance. What looked like total defeat was, in fact, God’s opportunity to gain total victory and show forth His glory.
Trials may be opportunities in disguise
Led by the Spirit, God will put us in situations that often look as though they are disasters in the making. Sometimes, our Father leads us into places that, if He does not come through, bad consequences ensue. However, as we mature, we begin to see trials as opportunities for God to show Himself strong in our lives. As we follow God into the impossible predicaments, we automatically expect the improbable. Facing overwhelming odds, we declare, “our Father has 10,000 different angels to deliver me, even if I can’t see a single one of them.”
God loves it when, in our troubles, we say “though He slay me yet will I serve Him”. We bring healing to our Father’s heart when we simply believe what He says. Pure faith, the kind that moves mountains, believes what God speaks even when everything else appears to contradict Him.
Anyone can have mustard seed faith
Even our small faith can be very powerful. Christ said even the mustard seed faith enables us to move mountains. Why is this so? It is because God, pleased by our smallest faith, moves mountains for us. Believe our Father, even in the smallest way, and God will make the impossible possible. Moses raised his staff over the waters, simply believing the word that God Spoke. This small act of faith, done in the midst of such unbelief, moved God to part the Red Sea.
The next time a situation arises that seems impossible, simply stand firm in your belief. Calmly say, “My God is able and He will deliver me.” Even the smallest faith in great adversity impresses God. When God sees you believing in the midst of impossible odds, like Joshua, He will move heaven and earth for you.
So interesting, because you say, “Led by the Spirit, God will put us in situations that often look as though they are disasters in the making. Sometimes, our Father leads us into places that, if He does not come through, bad consequences ensue.”
And that’s exactly what happened with the Israelites coming out of Egypt – the Spirit of God led them right to the edge of the Red Sea and the impossible situation so that He could prove His power in delivering them.
This is a profound thought, too, “We bring healing to our Father’s heart when we simply believe what He says.”
It makes me wonder how heartbroken He must be when we don’t believe Him, don’t trust him, and don’t let Him lead us. He worked so hard to deliver us from the bondage of the law, taught us how to walk in and be led by His Spirit, only to have His people essentially turn the freedom that Christ bought for us into a “second law”, refusing to be led by His Spirit.
I’m praying that many more will have the boldness to walk in ways that bring healing to our Father’s heart.
Good word! thank you!
Big hugs and lots of love!
Dear CL,
Yes, I pray that many more will be freed from their bondage to the things of the world.
Big hugs,
Michael