The LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey…” – Exodus 3:7-8
This is the story of all humanity, whatever race, region, or tribe from which we come. Affliction follows us all the days of our lives. God stands ready to deliver those who turn our hearts toward him. His hope is for our freedom.
It is important to carefully track the God Story inasmuch as it provides a framework for understanding God and man. This means we can not only understand the plan and purposes of God, but may also place ourselves in the middle of the greater story.
It would be an understatement to say that mankind is lost without God. We are simply dead. The story of Genesis and Job (the oldest books) make it quite clear that unless God intervenes, there is no hope for deliverance of the soul. His Son would become the conduit for faith that would deliver any searching heart. His commands (the big ten etc.) clarify our predicament. Without our Creator we will experience separation forever.
Enter the Good News of Jesus and the gift of His Holy Spirit. We are given insight into how to live within the circle of a clear conscience. The Thou-Shalt-Nots are markers to explain what internal bondage looks like. The Spirit brings conviction and forgiveness into our own circle, and allows us to live in open spaces.
“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:5
Selah! (lift this up to the highway of our God!)