“A whole new generations of Christians have come up believing that it is possible to accept Christ without forsaking the world.” -A. W. Tozer
“Let my people go!” This is the heart cry of God. God is concerned with our deliverance; ever since the “Fall of Man.” The Old Testament’s story of the Israelites and the New Testament’s story of you (and me) are redemptive stories running throughout the bible. Some gloss over the bondage; others weep over sin and wonder “who can redeem me from this body of sin?” We must say, “Thanks to Jesus Christ!”
Romans 7:24-25 (MSG)-“O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. “
This bondage is not a trivial issue since it will end up putting us in the grave. There is not any way in which we can save ourselves. It is not by our good works and pious living. From “A to Z,” it is an act of God and only He alone can deliver us!
Psalms 3:8 (NIV)- “From the Lord comes deliverance…. “
DELIVERANCE BY RESCUE
The Old Testament is a shadow of the reality in Christ. In the book of Exodus, the bondage that is depicted in Egypt is mostly physical, but it was also depriving the Israelites the freedom of worshipping the true God. This deliverance was a rescue operation engineered and executed by the mighty hand of God. There is not any parallel event in history for which a rescue of this magnitude and magnificence took place. It was against a despondent ruler who thought of himself as god. Pharaoh was not willing to release the people.
He changed his mind several times and received an even more rigorous hand of God. Still, Pharaoh did not repentant or even acknowledge the need to submit and obey to the true God. This is the problem with many of us. We see miracles. We experience the mighty hand of God. Yet, still we refuse and reject the Author of Life. Just like Pharaoh and the Egyptians, we only have it in our minds to use and abuse others for our own good and gratification. The result will end up the same for us as it did for Pharaoh and the Egyptians. They were blind and could not see the Living God or the Promised Land. They kept on hardening their hearts. “Who is this God?” This was the basis behind their attitudes and activities.
Hebrews 4:5- …”but in this other text he says, "They’ll never be able to sit down and rest."
DELEVERANCE THROUGH SACRIFICE
The sacrifices in the Old Testament are only a shadow of the eternal Sacrifice of God’s only Son- Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 9:12- “He also bypassed the sacrifices consisting of goat and calf blood, instead using his own blood as the price to set us free once and for all.“
The perfect sacrifice for all time was with the righteous blood of Jesus. He can cleanse our conscience that tries to binds us to the ways of “Egypt” (sin).
DELIVERANCE THROUGH BELIEF
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)- "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly."
Jesus promise of deliverance is through the atoning sacrifice. His sacrifice is accepted by God and in turn God offers us His rest. Through a personal invitation to believe in the Person of Jesus Christ- God is offering this rest.
Hebrews 4:2 (MSG)- “We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn’t do them a bit of good because they didn’t receive the promises with faith.”
Many, including Moses, did not enter the Promised Land due to unbelief. God instructed Moses to strike the rock once in order to receive water in the desert. But, Moses struck the rock twice. This showed his unbelief before the eyes of the Israelites. The basic requirement of God is faith in God and in His work. God was requiring faith from each Israelite. It did not matter if they were Moses (or someone other man in bondage), God simply wanted faith from each individual. Christ had to die only once and to not believe in Him is indeed a serious offense.
DELIVERANCE THROUGH OBEDIENCE
God has rescued many people that never entered the Promised Land because of their disobedience. Many all died in the desert. Their rebellion was out of control. Their murmurings and cravings for the pleasures of Egypt kept them from receiving the Promised Land. Only Caleb and Joshua showed a different Spirit.
Hebrews 4:6- “So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient. “
Hebrews 4:11- “So let’s keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.“
So the crust of all is- that we must walk right up to Him and receive the promises of God through faith in Christ alone!
Hebrews 4:16 (MSG)- “So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”
Today, if you feel that you are hearing His voice; grab it right away in faith and obey the voice of God. The most dangerous six words are “ I do not have time now!”
DELIVERANCE AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY
Hebrews 4:10- “God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God.”
There is a promise that goes beyond this life. We will rest with Him in eternity. This rest and freedom is beyond all comparisons that our mortal minds could ever conceive. I am looking forward for that! There will not be anymore physical abuse, and no more tormenting of my spirit. We will be truly free. What a privilege to rest in the bosom of our Abba Father!