Do We Go Back to Egypt?
Wasn’t there enough room in Egypt to bury us? Is that why you brought us out here to die in the desert? Why did you bring us out of Egypt anyway? While we were there, didn’t we tell you to leave us alone?
Exodus 14:11-12
This was the response of the Israelites as they were camped next to the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army was approaching them. In their own strength they were in an impossible situation, and they didn’t trust God and wished they were back in Egypt. This, also, can be a normal worldly response for us today. When life gets difficult we tend to go back to our old habits.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). If we hold our emotions in check and seek Godly wisdom and guidance through prayer, we no longer have to go back to Egypt. Just as God saved Israel by parting the Red Sea, he will also open a way for us. But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26). God is also looking at us and saying all things are possible, so why go back to Egypt?
Satan does not want us to grow in Godly wisdom. He would like for us to respond in worldly ways from childhood to the grave. There are some people today who “remain in Egypt” because they are enslaved by a learned behavior from childhood. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me (1 Corinthians 13:11). Going back to Egypt in stressful times is nothing more than reverting to learned behavior.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17) When Christ enters our hearts our old patterns with the learned behaviors are gone and the Lord begins to teach us a new way. The Lord changes our learned emotional behavior to Godly behavior through the Holy Spirit. Do you think life would be better if we used Godly wisdom rather than being controlled by our emotions? The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just (Psalm 37:30). With Godly wisdom we can control our words and our actions.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). There is never a need to go back to Egypt because we have victory in the Lord’s mighty power. Through faith and prayer he will guide us through anything we face in this life. Our faith implies that we desire to walk as his servants, depending on his divine guidance.
Today face whatever situation you may encounter with the power of the Lord. Don’t let Satan fill you with fear or anger, but instead, let Christ fill you with victory and peace. Remember the Lord loves you perfectly and all things are possible with him. Live in the Lord’s love and power.
Let’s Pray: Lord, take away any desire I might have to go back to Egypt, and give me the courage and wisdom to keep moving forward in life. Help me to keep moving closer to you and to become more Christ-like. In Jesus’ name, Amen.