What is your Egypt?
-Erica Banta
I opened my Bible app this morning to continue my daily chronological reading of the Bible; which until yesterday, I had been on somewhat of a hiatus from for a while, to Isaiah. I love how God’s timing is always perfect. I began reading in Chapter 31. Verse one opens with, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help…”
And I heard clearly in my spirit, “What is your Egypt?”
And then I was flooded with everything I know about Egypt in scripture. Egypt was a refuge in time of famine and place of safety for those fearing for their life, even for Jesus and his family.
But it was also where the Israelites would remain and become enslaved. It would continue to be a source of temptation for the Israelites, the known versus the unknown.
Again, clearly, “What once was refuge and safety but is now slavery holding you back from my promises?”
Egypt was familiar.
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!”
The Promised Land required trust.
Egypt was never meant to be home.
Numbers 14: 3-4
“Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
Egypt can keep you from your destiny. The Israelites allowed the report of giants in the land to keep them from crossing over; they again longed for the familiar instead of trusting in the Lord Almighty…
They never saw the Promised Land.
Isaiah 31:1,3
1Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.
3But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit.
What in your life have you relied on or turned to for security instead of Jesus?
While we don’t form silver and gold into statues of the idols of the Israelites, these things sneak in so quickly into our lives and when left unchecked, become idols that replace God on the thrones of our hearts.
I hear him whispering… “Remember. Remember who I am.”
Isaiah 31:5
Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.”
Exodus 14:14
14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Not too long ago I was talking with a precious friend, and told her I felt like the Lord was asking me to do something but it was completely out of my comfort zone, so I hadn’t. She said, “Wait. You mean you’re letting fear stop you from what God is asking of you?”
I had nothing, no argument. I sure was. And it seemed so silly when she said it like that. Everything I had built up in my head, all the fear and doubt, looked so small in light of my Jesus.
What is your Egypt?
What is holding you back from your destiny? Is it fear? Is it doubt? False Burdens? Is it past hurt?
Sit with Jesus and search your heart together.
Egypt and the wilderness are not meant to be places of comfort. Home is.
The Promised Land is on the other side.
Let’s go there; let’s cross over together! Take thoughts of fear and doubt captive. Replace them with the truth Jesus says about you. And GO forth! Shine for Him!
