November 4, 2018

"Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians." Exodus 6:6

God promised to bring His people out of slavery and history records that he did! Using His mighty hand and His acts of judgment and His chosen leader, Moses, the came out of 400 years of bondage bound for the Land of Promise!

But it raises the question, "How did they get into bondage in the first place?"

The answer is a bit surprising and a lot inspiring! 

They arrived in Egypt because God led them in! Because of the favor and influence Joseph has earned during the years of his capable service to the Pharaoh in Egypt he had prepared their nation to survive the devastating famine that ravished the entire region. And to show his respect and appreciation to Joseph, the Pharaoh allowed him to bring his father and his brothers and their families into Goshen which was the most fertile area in all of Egypt!

Here's the record from the Old Testament:

"So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed. Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children." Genesis 47:11-12

It is important to note that God led them in to Egypt to save them from the famine and to preserve them as a nation!

If you know the rest of the story you remember that God prospered these people so abundantly that they were becoming numerous and powerful. So when the next Pharaoh came to power and he didn't have the attachment to Joseph he made the Israelites into slaves.

God truly does move in mysterious ways! Wonderful ways! Redemptive ways! But unexpected and unpredictable ways! Except for one predictable truth that you can take away from this thought this morning:

God will never lead you into a situation that He is not able to lead you out of!

No matter how trying or difficult the circumstances you can rest in this assurance - IF GOD LED ME IN HE WILL BRING ME OUT! (And He will be with you in the meantime!)

November 3, 2018

"Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians...." Exodus 6:6

This is the first of the four great and timeless promises God offers to His people. He will bring you out of bondage!

Somehow when I read that promise what came to mind was this New Testament promise:

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

So, in other words, if God wants to bring you out of bondage He can bring you out of bondage!

There was no more daunting or formidable force in the world at this time than the Pharaoh of Egypt. No nation or army could come against him so none tried to take him on. So, what chance would a group of downtrodden slaves have against him?

None!

But as feckless as the Hebrew slaves were against the Pharaoh the Pharaoh was even less helpless against their God!

I'm sure that over that 400 year period of slavery there were many Israelites who doubted God was with them. In fact, I suspect they believed God had forsaken them. And who can blame them?

I have had those moments when I feel trapped by the circumstances of life. So have you!

But that is why both of these promises are SO powerful and comforting! God said, "I WILL bring you out...." He didn't say, "I might bring you out." Or he didn't say, "Maybe I'll bring you out." Nor did He say, "I sure hope I can bring you out." "I WILL" He said!

And He did!

Because He can anytime He wants to!

And when He wants to nothing can stop Him!

He would do all the heavy lifting all they had to do was believe that He was willing and able to do what He promised!

If you are feeling trapped by the circumstances of your life right now, and you have wondered if God has forgotten you or if He has lost His touch - re-read this post!

Re-read these promises!

He can bring you out of your bondage! He will bring you out! All you need to do is believe that He will and wait patiently until he does!