Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 4:19, “Go back to Egypt,…”

After wrestling with the authenticity of God’s call, Moses accepted. He had made a new life for himself in Midian; a wife and family, work, and now a restored relationship to the God of his fathers. Did peace descend on Moses like a sun’s warm ray?

“All the men who were seeking your life are dead,” God told him. Physically, it was safe for Moses to return. Emotionally, it meant a return to a place of pain, with memories of broken relationships and broken dreams. The place Moses left in fear and hurt. Now God asked Moses to face it again through His perspective, with new eyes.

To relive painful incidents in God’s Presence opens the door of healing to wounds. God can smooth out the sharp edges of splintered hurts. He can restore life and bring new beginnings where death, destruction, slavery, abuse and desertion once existed.

Whether we are called to physically return, or to emotionally or mentally reconnect to buried wounds, we too have to go back long enough to recognize and receive healing. “..He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”

Whenever the pain rises to the surface Lord, please remind me to place it in Your hands and watch for Your renewal.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 4:1, Then Moses answered and said, ‘What if…’

Moses brought the Lord a question many prophets have echoed throughout time. What if they don’t believe me or listen to me? What then? Moses struggled to comprehend God’s message, he also questioned his ability to succeed.

And God answered. Patiently, one detail at a time, God spoke to Moses’ queries, doubts, and fears, confirming His supply. God knows our frame, knows we are dust and knows that sometimes we need tangible answers to take the next step. He know our minds whirl with ‘will I be competent’ and what if I can’t do this’.

Jesus told His disciples their faith was too little to heal the demonic boy in Matthew and with faith the size of a mustard seed they could move mountains. In Mark, Jesus amplifies His answer. They need to pray.

God acknowledged Moses’ struggle of faith without anger and with concrete promises.

Still Moses continued to question until there were no excuses left. God had provided for all of Moses’ initial confusion and stumblings. Now God’s anger burned. Despite God’s sufficiency, Moses trembled. He hid behind smoke screens. He attempted to talk himself out of serving by shielding himself with arguments.

Lord, I can work up excellent reasons and debate why I should not serve when the truth is I’m afraid and unwilling. Please expand my faith to mustard seed size so I will respond in obedience and trust when You tell me all my ‘what ifs’ are provided for by You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 121:2-3

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 3:6, He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

God did not speak to Moses until Moses turned to look. Why? Did Moses’ curiosity indicate an open mind and heart to hear God? God already knows our thoughts. He knew Moses was ready to listen. But Moses needed to know now he was ready to be God’s servant, to serve God.

“I am the God of your father. I have seen the affliction.” Moses’ earlier attempts to deal with the Hebrew’s sufferings resulted in his run to the desert from criminal charges, and Israel continuing in anguish. Moses knew that his methods had failed, his concepts of how God could use him, perhaps even his perception of God’s character was mistaken.

Now that God had Moses’ attention He gives Moses His name. I AM. God wanted to tell Moses who He was. Not the gods of Egypt, not the God of Moses’ imagination; the Lord, God of Moses’ ancestors, God of the promises.

Moses had to be willing to listen.

Am I willing Lord, to ask to know You as You are? Can I move beyond stereotypes, myths, and wishful thinking? Your name is still “I AM”. And to-day You still call Your people to freedom, to salvation. Open my ears, Lord, that I may listen to Your call.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 85:8

I will hear what God the Lord will say;

For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones;

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 3:3, So Moses said, “I must turn aside now, and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.”

Agendas drive our days. Either by choice or by demand work fills our time. Our clocks pulse to the routine daily rhythms.

Moses pastured his father-in-law’s flock, a familiar everyday duty. On this day he came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. Was this the first time? Did Moses often bring his flock on this route of wilderness? Scripture only tells us of this day when God met Moses in the midst of his common responsibilities. The bush burned but was not consumed, and Moses turned aside to investigate.

Would I be so flexible, so curious? Do I even expect to see God in the ‘thick of things’ or have I a time and a place reserved for church or prayer, hoping to hear God’s voice there when I am ready to listen? Would He, I wonder, arrest my concentration?

Moses, attuned to his surroundings, his curiosity peaked, chose to seek an answer. And when God saw Moses taking the time to see, then He spoke.

Lord, am I willing to take the time to investigate the unusual interruptions, to see if You are present in them, or do I ignore them, in an attempt to control my day? Keep me flexible and open to You. May I not be so bound in routine that You cannot catch my attention.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 123:2

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,

As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress;

So our eyes look to the Lord our God,

Until He shall be gracious to us.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 2:23, Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died..; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.

Pleasant times pass too quickly. The day spent with a friend, a week-end getaway, a quiet solitary retreat all end before we’re ready. Our sigh is ‘so soon’. As the rush of mainstream living catches us up, our memories may just be a fleeting sense of well-being, or a feeling of connectedness.

But time spent living with pain and affliction slows to a crawl. We can feel abandoned, lost, and uncared for. How do we reconcile these days with scripture’s word, “I will not fail you or forsake you.” Our sigh is ‘where are You, when will this end?’

While Moses shepherded in Midian, the king of Egypt died but Israel’s plight did not lift. They continued in bondage. Their anguish ascended to God’s ear. He heard them, He noticed them, He remembered His covenant with them. Not that He had forgotten them, His plan was going forward; “it came about in the course of those many days.”

Sometimes I forget that God has a course for me far above my plans. His course is one I cannot fathom and when that course is difficult I forget His promises that resolution will come in His time. Continually throughout His ministry Jesus stated, “My hour has not yet come.” With His face set toward Jerusalem, Jesus kept to God’s course.

Lord, remind me in these long days to hold onto Your Presence. Let me stick fast to Your side as I wait upon the completion of Your course.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 34:4

I sought the Lord, and He answered me,

And delivered me from all my fears.