Exodus 7:16 (ICB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Tell him this: The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you. He said, \u2018Let my people go worship me in the desert.\u2019 Until now you have not listened.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This verse is so powerful. This is the moment when Moses stood before Pharaoh, delivering God\u2019s message\u2014Let My people go. But what struck me the most was the reason: so that they may worship Him in the desert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The desert can mean many things. It is not a comfortable place. It is harsh, lonely, and painful. It is a place of testing. And yet, God intentionally wanted His people there\u2014not in a land of abundance, not in a place of comfort, but in the desert so that they may worship Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I reflected on this verse and others about Egypt, I realized something deeper. The story of the Israelites is about freedom\u2014freedom from oppression, bondage, and abuse. And the main purpose of that freedom is one thing: so that we may worship Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But let\u2019s be honest. After being set free from Egypt, the wilderness can feel overwhelming. After leaving an abusive situation, after stepping out of something painful, after walking away from what was destroying you\u2014you can start to feel lost. You might look around and think, \u201cWas this really the right choice? Because this doesn\u2019t feel like freedom.\u201d No food. No water. No rest. No shade. No friends. Maneuvering life alone, struggling to make sense of this new place. And just like the Israelites, you might start looking back at Egypt, thinking, “At least there, I had something.” Even if what you had was painful, at least it was familiar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But here\u2019s what we often forget\u2014God didn\u2019t bring us out of Egypt to destroy us. He set us free so that we may worship Him in the desert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worshiping in the desert is not easy. It is a sacrifice. It is choosing to lift your hands when they feel heavy. It is choosing to pray when you don\u2019t have the words. It is choosing to praise when everything in you wants to give up. It is choosing obedience when you don\u2019t understand the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canaan is ahead. Your way into it will be through worshiping in the desert. The ones who entered the Promised Land were the ones who worshiped, no matter how difficult it was. Keep seeking God. Keep trusting Him. Keep praising Him\u2014even in the wilderness. Even in the pain. Even when you don\u2019t see the way forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canaan is not far. Just keep worshiping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have a blessed day. \ud83d\udda4<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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