Leaving Egypt
We’re welcoming some much-needed rainfall here in zone 7 today. The Blue Victory Salvia, Amaranthus, Zinnia, and Nasturtium seeds that I planted two weeks ago are begging for moisture beyond what they have gotten from my garden soaker hoses.
Although a few of these flowers are indeed edible, obviously their real purpose is purely for my enjoyment. And yet, I consider them my, “crops.”
I have spent the last several months of my quiet time with God pondering
Deuteronomy 11:10-15:
“For the land where you are headed is not like the land of Egypt from which you came, a land where you planted seed and which you irrigated by hand like a vegetable garden. Instead, the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy is one of hills and valleys, a land that drinks in water from the rains, a land the Lord your God looks after. He is constantly attentive to it from the beginning to the end of the year. Now, if you pay close attention to my commandments that I am giving you today and love the Lord your God and serve him with all your mind and being, then he promises, “I will send rain for your land in its season, the autumn and the spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine, and olive oil. I will provide pasture for your livestock and you will eat your fill.”
Seven months ago, My husband and I began a spiritual journey. He was an Associate Pastor at a tremendous ministry in Tulsa, OK. It’s a thriving, growing church filled with people we know as family. He was well paid, loved his work and co-workers. But God began to tug on our hearts.
Our twenty three year season of attending and fifteen years of working there had finished. The Holy Spirit was prompting us to lay aside our comfort and step out.
“Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Since the time our three sons were born, we told them God had a distinct plan for their lives. We showed them in His Word that God knew them before the foundation of the earth and that they each had unique talents and abilities explicitly designed for His purpose. (Psalms 139:16) Our goals and desires for them always centered around those promises.
The truth is, my friends, those same promises are for you & me as well.
In the garden the spring season is a time of pruning, transplanting, and planting new. When we get older we tend to think our work for the Kingdom is over and there's nothing left for us to do.
Time after time I have observed people my age make comments like, “I’ve done my part, let the younger generation take over now.” I’ve also heard, “Well, when I retire in a few years, then, I’ll step out into what God wants me to do.”
Where do we ever read in the Word that any of the Lord’s disciples retired? NO! They taught, trained, encouraged, and supported the next generation. They bore fruit and continued to run their race up until the time of their deaths.
“What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears.” James 4:14
Egypt represents two different things in God’s Word.
In uncertain times of famine or war, God sent His people to Egypt for safety and provision. (Genesis 12:10, 42:1-3)
It was a place of comfort. The Nile river provided adequate water for crops through human-made irrigation systems.
Egypt also became a place of oppression, bondage, and slavery (Exodus 1:8-14).
Why? Because God’s people were never meant to stay in Egypt. They were to abide in a promised land, (Genesis 12)
It was in this land that the Lord promised protection, provision, safety, and prosperity.
The only “requirement” was “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5
Although that sounds simple enough, we need to remember in Deuteronomy 11 the Lord told them that this land would be different. It would provide just enough for their needs, but, there would be rocks and mountains. They would have to trust Him for rain at the proper time. They could not prosper there in their strength. They had to believe in and rely on God.
“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 8:3
How about you, my friends? When was the last time you knew without a shadow of a doubt that you were pursuing God’s will for your life?
What if He’s calling you away from everything you know?
Are you afraid to leave the comfort of Egypt?
Even if you’re comfortable now, how long will last until you find yourself tapped in a life of bondage and slavery?
Even worse than staying there yourself, what about your children? Are you encouraging and helping them to pursue God’s plan for their lives?
Whether they are two months old or twenty years old your mandate from God is clear…train them up in the way they should GO.
I am no different than any other loving parent. If I had my choice I’d have each one of our sons, and their families live on the same street that we do. We could all live happily ever after, but, that would be dead wrong and contrary to God’s design. I know I would have to face Jesus some day and make an account for that.
In the book, “Imagine Heaven” (Baker Books October 20, 2015) author John Burke tells the accounts of several people who had near-death experiences.
Most of these accounts have the same theme in them. Each saw their lives pass before them: People they neglected to witness to, people they hurt, people they loved and made a difference in their lives.
Whether you believe human experiences or not, the Word is very clear that we will give an account for our lives, (Romans 14:12, Hebrews 4:13, 1 Peter 4:5).
As Jesus followers, our life is not our own. We were purchased with a very high price. It was by the blood of the King of Kings.
Our purpose is to prepare for our wedding day. We are His bride, and we need to bring as many with us to that great day when He returns as we can.
But, it will not happen in Egypt.
Seek Him, know His voice…and Follow it!
You may not know the whole plan. Many times all we get is the first step. The second step will only be revealed after the first is taken.
“You will do everything you have promised; Lord, your love is eternal. Complete the work that you have begun.”
Psalm 138:8
God hasn’t changed His plan for you, my friends. It’s never too late to begin again.
Let today be the first day of the best days of your life.