Brought Out From Under the Burdens

Posted on 2021-01-19 by Mirjam Fels

I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.
Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Exodus 6:7

LORD Jesus, we praise You for You are our God and our Redeemer. Thank You for rescuing us from our bondage and for carrying our burdens. Forgive us, O God we pray, whenever we are looking back to what we have had in Egypt. Enable us to break free from this bondage. Help us to know that You are the LORD our God who brings us out from under the burdens. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.

Our burden is heavy — perhaps even heavier during these tough times we are facing at the moment. It seems this pandemic is working like a magnifying glass: For some of us even the smallest of our troubles have become bigger challenges due to the current situation in the world. Still, we have to press on! Let’s dig a bit deeper into the story of the Exodus…

What was the purpose of the Exodus for the Israelites?

One reason for the Exodus was that the children of Israel were in bondage, and God freed them from slavery in Egypt. They were rescued that they may enter the land that was promised to them. The history record has also been written for all to know and to remember that God is the One who saves His people. Israel longed to worship her God in freedom again.

What was the purpose of the Exodus for the Egyptians?

The Egyptians, who kept the children of God in bondage for so many years, were in great need to learn their lesson:

And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

Exodus 7:5

Some of the people living in Egypt at that time even started to fear God. They began to listen to His Word which was spoken and fled to their houses. (Exodus 9:20) Part of these, or all we do not know, packed their things to follow the Israelites into the wilderness. (Exodus 12:38)

What was the ultimate purpose of the Exodus?

That all the people of all the earth shall know that the LORD is our God. He is the Creator. He owns heaven and earth and everything in it. He is also the One who saved His people from their sins. It is He who will bring us out from under the burdens — For He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Beloved reader, this is a time to stay focused on God’s promises and not on the burden we are facing these days. Listen to what God’s Word says in Revelation 21:3

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and He will dwell with them,
and they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God.

Get to know the LORD, the One who is the Most High over all the earth!

Posted in Christ Our Victor | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Brought Out From Under the Burdens

While This is Happening in the World

Posted on 2021-01-14 by Mirjam Fels

Were the former days really that much better than the days we are living in now? If so, is there any chance that they become good again? How?

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15-17

LORD Jesus, we praise You for the Bible. We thank You that we are having free access to Your Word — that we can read and study it. Help us, O God we pray, that we may not only be hearers but also doers of the Word. Enable us to see the Light on our paths and to follow in Your Footsteps. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.

Commenting on Psalm 14:1 Matthew Henry writes:

We are sometimes tempted to think, “Surely there never was so much atheism and profaneness as there is in our days;” but we see the former days were no better; even in David’s time there were those who had arrived at such a height of impiety as to deny the very being of a God and the first and self-evident principles of religion.

Built on the rocks vs built on the Rock

People try to find their happiness in all kinds of people, places and things. At first glance, some may seem to succeed; observe, though, what happens when things are tough and going against their will. As soon as their world is shaken and begins to crumble they begin to complain, become bitter and rebellious.

So is this whole life, as the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes, vanity and grasping for the wind? Yes, as long as we build our life on the foundation of a world on the rocks.

People, places, and things of life under the sun, apart from God, will never satisfy us nor could they ever give us the Peace we so desperately need for our souls. Fact is that sooner or later they will disappoint or even threaten to crush us.

It is so important that we set our foundations in order. We have to know what and whose word we believe — especially while this is happening in the world today. Why? Because, as Psalm 11:3 says:

If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?

Note, though, that this is not talking about solid and eternal foundations of this world. We have to remember that we are on a journey, passing through this world, and waiting for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Heb 11:10)

So, while all of this is happening in the world:

Keep your focus on the right foundations.

Posted in Christ Our Victor | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on While This is Happening in the World

In Perfect Peace

Posted on 2021-01-12 by Mirjam Fels

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

LORD Jesus, we praise You for You alone can give a peace that will calm the storm. You are above all nations, above all powers, above all people; they are all in Your Hands. There is nothing going on, neither in our own lives nor in the whole world, that You would not be in control of. Help us, O God we pray, to stay focused on You and the Peace that comes from You alone. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen.

As I read through Psalm 12 this morning Isaiah 26:3 (today’s verse) came to my mind:

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

It looks like the godly and faithful people cease. People become proud and hurt one another. They say that the LORD does not see this; even worse, they say that there is no God. The poor are oppressed and people yearn for safety. Yet God’s promise remains true:

You shall keep them, O LORD,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.

Psalm 12:7

TRUST in God’s Word

Matthew Henry comments on this psalm:

That, though men are false, God is faithful; though they are not to be trusted, God is. They speak vanity and flattery, but the words of the Lord are pure words (Psalm 12:6)

Precious friend, cling on to God’s promises which you will find in His Word. No matter what is going on in the world, God’s Word remains true and powerful. Hallelujah!

TRUST that God will keep you safe

God always secures His chosen remnant to Himself — no matter how bad the times are. He will keep them safe so that they are not drawn away from God. Matthew Henry writes:

In the worst of times God has his remnant, and in every age will reserve to himself a holy seed and preserve that to his heavenly kingdom.

TRUST in the God who hears

Cry out to Him for help. Pray to Him. He is right there and hears. He says so in His Word.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

1 John 5:14

Do not despair, beloved! Yes, there is hope; and, yes, there is such a thing as perfect Peace. How do you get it? Read today’s verse again.

Keep your mind on God, and trust in Him for perfect Peace!

Posted in Christ Our Victor | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on In Perfect Peace