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Hope for the Day

Beyond deliverance into freedom

Diane Houghtaling
Posted 6/10/22

Exodus chapters 13 and 14 tell the story of Israel’s deliverance from the slavery and bondage they knew in Egypt. 

God had brought ten plagues upon the land of Egypt, and finally …

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Hope for the Day

Beyond deliverance into freedom

Posted

Exodus chapters 13 and 14 tell the story of Israel’s deliverance from the slavery and bondage they knew in Egypt. 

God had brought ten plagues upon the land of Egypt, and finally Pharaoh had allowed them to leave. But it wasn’t long before Pharaoh changed his mind. He wanted his slaves back and began to pursue the Israelites with his army.

Now God’s people found themselves in an impossible situation, faced with certain death no matter which way they turned. The impassible Red Sea was before them, and the Egyptian army behind, with only God slowing their pursuit. They had come to the end of themselves with no way of escape.

Then the miracle happened! God told Moses to just believe Him, and to stretch forth his hand and staff over the Red Sea. God parted the sea and made a way of escape for His people. 

This had to be a very frightening experience, with the walls of water upraised on either side of them. And even though they had made it safely across, now the Egyptian army was pursuing them also through the sea.

The Israelites had been delivered, but they still faced the fear of the enemy’s pursuit. They needed another miracle, and God did not disappoint. He told Moses to once again stretch his staff over the sea and the waters began to flow, drowning the whole army. Now the people were truly free of the bondage and slavery they’d known for 400 years, and they could move forward into their new-found freedom.

There are times in our lives when we’ve needed a miracle of deliverance, and God has made that way of escape. But we still may not be entirely set free from the enemy’s pursuit. We need another miracle.

You may have been delivered from life-controlling addictions or bondages, such as drugs, alcohol, pornography, cigarettes, etc. There is much rejoicing at this miracle. 

However, there may still be constant cravings pursuing you, causing you to be on high alert at all times. You need that second miracle to be completely set free from an addictive mindset and habits.

Maybe you’ve been a workaholic all your life, even if you hated every moment of it. But it was where you found your self-worth or knew you could please others. Now the stress may have taken a toll on your health and you’ve had to slow down, or you’ve reached retirement age.

You may have been delivered from your work, but there’s still no rest for your weary soul. Your mind can’t rest and you’re trying to fill the void with whatever “work” you can find. You, too, need to be set free from this mindset and find your fulfillment in the Lord and the plans He has for you.

You can be delivered from an abusive relationship, finally in a safe place far from the abuser, but you still deal with constant fear, emotional scars and a victim mindset. You, too, need that second miracle to be set free, as this normally doesn’t automatically happen. God is always ready and willing to give us the miraculous interventions that we need.

As we rejoice in every deliverance from the impossible situations in our lives, let’s continue to seek the Lord for the second miracles we need to be able to walk in complete freedom from the enemy’s pursuit.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.

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