07/17/2018
Have you been prepared to become a son or daughter of God? By that I mean, has God brought you to the place where you see that the world (although filled with great beauty) doesn’t hold a candle to what awaits you, and that you come to him readily? God gave Israel into the hands of Egypt for 430 years so that they might become receptive to Him. Then following His rescue He led them for another 40 years in the desert before they were truly redeemed. Have you been redeemed? Are you ready to come out of the wilderness?
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 ESV
Then there was King David... When David killed Goliath he was a hero, and was high and lifted up, but he was far from where God wanted him, so he was driven into the wilderness by King Saul, and remained there until he was prepared fully by God. Was he perfect in all ways? No! Was he righteous and Holy in all of his actions? No! Yet he was redeemed, and known by God as a man after his own heart... he was ready to love, obey, and accept God. He did God’s will.
“And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'”
Acts 13:22 ESV
When we are heroes, and we sit astride a great steed atop a high mountain, and all we see is beautiful and belongs to us, then it is hard for us to serve God. But when we have been made low, held prisoner in Egypt, and been led through the wilderness of life... then we are made receptive, and become ready for God. Even if we are fools God will lead us out of this place... He will call us to His Son...
“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.”
Isaiah 35:8-9 ESV
There are many Egypts in this world, and many deserts that are meant to prepare us to call out to God with all our hearts. Perhaps you have served a hard master, or been through one of those many deserts. Then again, maybe you are in one now, or see one just ahead of you. They come in all forms, a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a loved one, addiction, depression, mental illness, fearing for your life, or even being brought under physical subjugation... the list is long. These things will either destroy us, or bring us to our knees before God. If it is the latter; if you wander in the wilderness and your pride and ego become humbled, and you are made ready to serve God, then much awaits you... He will ransom you, and you will meet His Son Jesus. He will call you to Him, make you His child, and bring you His peace and joy.
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Isaiah 35:10 ESV
So I ask again, have you been prepared to become a son or daughter of God? Has your faith been reworked in the forge of life, or are you sitting atop a mountain looking out at all you possess and not seeing the desert... the judgement that lies ahead? We all face Egypt in some way, and we all spend time in the desert. The difference in us is that some are serving Egypt and have become comfortable in it, and some look at the desert and think they own it, but the ones who see that Egypt actually lords over them, and the ones who go into the wilderness and feel its suffering... these will be redeemed, because they will come to seek God.
If you are high and mighty, and the world is your oyster, if you seek happiness and fulfillment in possessions but can find none... there is peace and a joy ahead that you can’t buy with money. If you are an addict, and your life is crumbling and you would sell your family or your body for another fix, there is relief and freedom ahead in Jesus Christ. If you are weeping today, and have lost a loved one to death, divorce, or perhaps dementia, there is comfort, and a new life in Jesus that can sooth these wounds. Whoever your captor is, and whatever your desert has become, you can be redeemed... are you ready right now?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for providing us a way out of Egypt, and for the lessons we learn in the desert that bring us to your feet. I ask that you hear my prayer today as I ask that you to lift me up, and redeem me through your Son Jesus Christ. Today I pray as your Word teaches and guides me in Psalms 51; see my tears, and hear my voice.... let my heart be open to you.
“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.”
Psalms 51:1-13 NLT
You are a great God, and your Son Jesus is my Savior. Hear this my prayer today, and forgive me. Hear this my prayer today, and know that I give myself to you through your Son Jesus Christ, so that you will bring me peace and rescue. Lead me to church Father, and bring me into fellowship with your people. Teach me how to live my life for you, and to enjoy your peace and joy always. Holy Father, on this day let my journey out of Egypt be realized, and let this be my first step out of the desert in which I have been wandering. Praised be your name because Holy, Holy, Holy, are you; my redeemer and strong tower! - Amen
Rich Forbes