Dr. Carol
Tanksley
December 7, 2017
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Freedom is a metaphor used too often in Scripture for us to
ignore. It’s not the only Biblical picture of what God does for us, but it
helps us understand a great deal about redemption. There are a lot of ditches
to be avoided when we talk about spiritual warfare. But the Bible has many
examples and descriptions that help you understand more about working together
with God for your freedom.
The most dramatic example of freedom in Scripture is the
Exodus – the story of how God delivered His people Israel from bondage in Egypt
and brought them to the Promised Land. It’s a real-life history lesson in how
God works both cosmically in delivering human beings from the kingdom of
darkness, and for us individually in bringing us to the Fully Alive life He calls us to.
When the children of Israel first came out of Egypt and were
safely on the other side of the Red Sea, they sang the Song of Moses: “The LORD
is a warrior; the LORD is His name.” (Exodus
15:3) They had seen Yahweh fight for them, using the plagues to get Pharaoh
to open his tight fists and then destroying the Egyptian army in the Red Sea.
Can’t you imagine the people shouting in wonder, “Wow! Our God fights for us!”
I think that’s the way we will feel when we sing the song of
Moses and the Lamb in heaven. (Revelation
15:3)
But in moving toward freedom we don’t sit idly by doing
nothing. We must be involved. As David said, “He trains my hands for battle.” (Psalm
18:34)
Collaborating With God
We don’t experience freedom by sitting back and waiting for
God to magically “fix” things. We’re not the ones who “destroy the enemy,” but
we have a role to play. God was the one who softened up Pharaoh and the
Egyptians, but He did not instantly beam up the Israelites from Egypt into the
Promised Land. They had things to do and things to learn. They had skin in the
game. Without their active engagement nothing would happen.
For example, Moses had to go before Pharaoh and declare,
“God says, Let My people go!” The Israelites had to kill the Passover lamb and
place its blood on the doorways of their homes. They had to ask the Egyptians
for their gold and silver, and then leave home with only a moment’s notice.
They had to step into the path opened up in the Red Sea. They had to build the
tabernacle when God showed Moses the pattern. And when they came to the
Promised Land they had to actively fight to take possession of it.
Research in the last few years on spirituality and health
demonstrates that both those people who take on the burden of fixing things
themselves and those who sit back and wait for God or anyone else to fix things
do equally poorly. Those who see themselves as working together with God,
collaborating with Him, are the ones who come through challenges with
resilience and wellbeing.
That’s the idea Paul talked about: “Therefore, my dear
friends, as you have always obeyed– not only in my presence, but now much more
in my absence– continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for
it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians
2:12-13) God works, and we work.
Follow His Lead
Sometimes we struggle with understanding what God’s part is
and what our part is. Remember that you are not the one who destroys the enemy.
God was the one who destroyed the Egyptian army. For us today, it’s not our job
to defeat the devil; Jesus already fought him – and won!
Moses had to learn that the hard way. When he first went out
to see the struggles of the Israelites he got angry – and killed just one
Egyptian. (Exodus
2:11-12) I believe Moses sensed that God would use him in delivering
Israel, but he rushed ahead of God’s leading and had to wait another 40 years
before God could make another move.
That lesson was impressed on the children of Israel
throughout their time in the wilderness. They only moved when the pillar of
cloud and fire moved first. (Exodus
40:36-38) They had to follow God’s direction. He made the first move.
You and I need to do the same. We don’t rush headlong into
spiritual battles and cry for God to come help us; that’s a sure way to get
wounded – or worse. Instead, our first effort must be to discern where the
Cloud is going. Where is God working, and where is He inviting us to follow?
What is He putting His finger on in your life and inviting you to be
transformed? Where in His kingdom is He doing something and inviting your
involvement?
Practical Fighting Strategies
Consider these points in your own battle for freedom.
- What is your Pharaoh? What spiritual bondage is God stirring up a desire for freedom in your heart about? Poverty? Lust? Sadness and grief? Anxiety or depression? A broken relationship? Remember, you aren’t the one who destroys the enemy. But be ready when God sends you to say, “This is what the LORD says; Let My child go!”
- Don’t give in or give up. The Israelites repeatedly wanted to go back to Egypt when things became difficult. Your journey will not be without resistance. Determine that when the going gets tough, you will stand firm. The journey may take longer and be more convoluted than you at first realize. Just don’t quit.
- Follow the Cloud. When God tells you to do something, do it. When He says something to you, believe it. Watch for the next step God directs you to take, and follow Him regardless of how small, how crazy, or how impossible it seems.
- Be hungry to learn. It took time to undo the slave mentality the Israelites had when they left Egypt. You too will need to develop a mentality of freedom to be able to experience the Fully Alive life God calls you to. Be a voracious learner. Study God’s ways. Study healthy living, healthy thinking, healthy relationships. Keep on growing, always.
Refuse to remain comfortable in your bondage. Get involved
in the process, working together with God. Watch for the Cloud, and follow Him
into your freedom.
Your Turn: Where does
the Biblical story of the Exodus relate to your own life? Where do you sense
God asking you to follow Him into freedom now? Leave a comment below.
Tweetables: why not
share this post?
- In spiritual warfare you’re not the one who destroys the enemy. But there ARE things you must do in working together with God for your freedom. Don’t run ahead or lag behind; follow the Cloud closely. Tweet that.
More from Dr. Carol Ministries, here
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