Recently, I was asked to speak for a Friday night Recovery group on the topic, “Why do men and women go back to their addictions?” As I was considering a Biblical perspective, it occurred to me that the journey of the Israelites out of Egypt provided some insight to answer that question. This week we are going to look at a few observations I gleaned from a quick look at the exodus. Before you discount this weeks Victory Call’s because you don’t struggle with addiction, I believe the principles I will share apply to all of us in our particular bent towards sin, strongholds and personal bondage. Remember, the Israelites were in bondage to the Egyptians for many years before God used Moses to lead them out of bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land. For our purposes, Egypt will symbolize bondage and the Promised Land will represent freedom.
What can we glean from Exodus?’
Things may get worse before they get better.
Exodus 5: 6-12: So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words.” And the taskmasters of the people and their officers went out and spoke to the people, saying, “Thus says Pharaoh: ‘I will not give you straw. Go, get yourselves straw where you can find it; yet none of your work will be reduced.'” So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
Just because we have made a decision to get out of bondage, to turn over a new leaf and change, doesn’t mean things will instantly improve. Even on the path from bondage to freedom, things may get worse before they get better. Our fleshly tendency is to give up and lose hope.
Never, never, never lose hope. Don’t assume that since it is difficult or getting worse that God is not in it. He continues to work on your behalf to bring you to the freedom He accomplished for you at the cross.
John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Written By Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and provides ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
