Scripture
Our verse for today comes from Exodus 14:12, ” 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. “
Background
” ‘Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. ” Most of us are familiar with these famous words of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Whether most of us agree with them is a different story. Some agree wholeheartedly, while there might be some who aren’t quite there. And of the factors that affect their decision, one of the most influential must certainly be when the sentiment is expressed. Coming out of a bad relationship, one might see only the solace and contentment that being alone offers. However, if one has never loved, or has loved with sweet memories, then they are much more inclined to long for the love of another, no matter the consequences. Perspective, timing, experience, maturity. Perhaps it has to do with some of these, perhaps with things entirely different. But somewhere in there are the keys to understanding how the Egyptians could say that they preferred serving in Egypt over dying in the desert. They said they told Moses to leave them alone, that their life in Egypt was just fine. When you’re running from an army, having to trust a God who has left you in Egypt for 400 years, then you might be liable to pine for the way you sort of remember things being, no matter how bad they actually were.
Application
But would you go to the extent of saying you’d rather be a slave in Egypt than die as free in the desert? I guess it depends on your perspective. It must depend on your Egypt, and your desert. If your Egypt tells you that the desert holds death for you, death to yourself and what you are comfortable with, then Egypt can look alright. But if your desert is where your Savior is, and in fact is exactly where He is taking you, then what’s the call? Love and possibly lose, or never love at all?
Work was difficult for me yesterday, and Satan wants the worry and fret of that to be my Egypt. He doesn’t want me to let go and trust and continue on into the desert of faith and the unknown. Today may be tough for you. Will you serve a dead master in Egypt, or will you go through the desert with the Lord? Live in slavery or die in freedom?
Charge
As we seek Him today, confess to God for wanting to stay among the so-called comforts of Egypt. Consider how willing you are to die to something, for something.
Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com.
