Oh, How We have forgotten….

Most of the American population has seen the movie, The Ten Commandments. Yes, the one that Charlton Heston made Moses easy on the eye. The story of the Red Sea is pictured so well in this film. As I was listening to the story retold in church the other day, I started to realize that it is very parallel to our salvation. Here is my journey… 　
　
　
There was many Easters that the movie was watched in my childhood home. The miracles of God showed through the stories that were reenacted. We discussed how God stood the walls of water straight up… was plexi glass what held the water?? And if you touched the wall as you do in a tent on a rainy night would it start to leak?? The idea of getting to walk through the path to the other side was overwhelming and quit frightening.

The story starts with The Israelites in bondage to the Egyptians….
Exodus 2:23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.

I remember the times in my life that I wept thinking that if there was a God, let Him hear and remove me from my bondage. We all were born into sin, it is our bondage. Each day I would face my slave labor, try to numb my mind with TV, internet, alcohol, and sex. I wake up hopeless and ran through the day with no purpose and find myself there again the next.

What is unknown to us is that God is preparing our path… the places, the people, and the events that will occur. As He did Moses. The obedience of Moses lead the release into freedom for the Israelites, as Jesus’ obedience gave us the freedom to bondage of sin.

Standing at the Red Sea feeling trapped and looking to see the army of death coming after to you. With God being the only way out. I remember sitting alone one November evening. Facing my Red Sea. My drunkenness, carefree live was going to send me into a deeper Hell on earth or to death. I was drawn to Kirk Cameron on TV for I had a crush on him so many years ago. At that point I was experiencing the same as Israel, a great fear and unbelief.

Exodus 14:13-14 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

I believe the moment I gave my heart to the Lord and truly believed, was the first step the Israelites took across the dry sea bed. The journey was so powerful, filled with awe and nothing could ever exceed that experience. My heart poured with joy and song as did for Moses and the Israelites…

Exodus 15:2 “The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

As God laid out the freedom, He asked of one thing…
Exodus 15:26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.

Why is the freedom from bondage so easily forgotten??? Why is loving your God with all you heart, soul, and mind the last thing we thing of in a day???

It seemed instant the nation of Israel was complaining about water and food. Even though God gave them everything they needed for the day. They started to feel like ways of Egypt was so much easier.

I hate to admit that the struggle from my old self was very real. At times the numbing and self indulgence is very attractive. My heart was torn by the new found love and the comfort of the past. As the story of the Israelites freedom from Egypt shows God has a promised land for them, that He tests them and that they were just to obey and trust Him.

Sadly, it seems that we tend to do the same as they did. Complain and never are satisfied with our daily bread. Look at our Egypt and wish to go back. Forget what Jesus did on the cross for me. Makes me think that we are being tested in our freedom of bondage. And maybe the reason we don’t get to our promise land on earth is of the same reasons.

The one thing that keeps me on this side of the Red Sea is because I remember what God has done to get me here and what He has done since then. I tend to forget to often and start muttering about my situations. I have learnt that it is very important to REMEMBER. Remembrance is the key. Each day when are daily bread is handed to us let us remember and praise God for bringing us out of bondage.

John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.