The Egyptian Firstborn Destroyed (illustration from the 1728 Figures de la Bible) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”” Exodus 14:12 (NIV)
We all have moments when the conditions of our hearts are laid bare; most times trials and challenges of life throw these things up and it can be really embarrassing.
While many Israelites desired freedom from bondage, many of their leaders loathed the idea. They were accustomed to slavery and servitude; they had acquired what was in their eye some measure of livelihood and thought of the unknown was unimaginable. They reluctantly followed Moses out of Egypt (complaining all the way). When they were locked in by the sea in front of them, the mountains by the sides and with the Egyptian army pursuing, they opened up, saying “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert” What does this mean? Was the loss of their male children in vain? Were unpaid labour, violated women and other inhuman treatment of no concern to them? Was the word of God of no effect on them?
Surely many of them were short-sight, self-serving and hard at heart. They were people of the now. They would rather endure or enjoy the present than think of the future. The grave was their dream. Garlic and cucumber was enough to soothe their sorrows.
Many people are still in the same habit; they would rather serve their enemies for all that the present holds than trust God as they take the lead in actualization of God’s purpose for their lives. They fear change and would rather live in “slavery and servitude”, poverty, lack, sickness and all evil tendencies than allow the will of God to prevail in their lives.
If you don’t want to serve your enemy, the devil, then serve that Lord with gladness, joy and enthusiasm. The scriptures say of people who choose the contrary, “Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.” Dt. 28:47. (NIV) That is not your portion, in Jesus name. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV)
The Scriptures say in Psalm 37:3-6
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
God bless you.
Bible quotes from http://www.biblegateway.com
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Filed under: Dreams, God, Grace, Hope and life, How to live well, Inspiration, inspiration for life, Motivation, Motivational tips, Prosperity, Religion, Spirituality
