Moving Forward Means Letting Go!

Exodus 13:7-14:4

7 Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the Lord is to be on your lips. For the Lord brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year.

11 “After the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanitesand gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your ancestors, 12 you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord. 13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck.Redeem every firstborn among your sons.

14 “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’ 16 And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”

20 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this.

Video for this Service can be viewed @: January 3, 2022

NewDay Friends,

Welcome to 2021! I want to start off reminding you of promises from God that He gave to some of His first followers that still hold true for us today. They are found in Exodus 6:5-7...

You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel,
who are now slaves to the Egyptians.
And I am well aware of my covenant with them.
“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord.
I will free you from your oppression and
I will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt.
I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.
I will claim you as my own people,
and I will be your God.
Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you…”

How are you experiencing the promises of God to free you, to rescue you, to redeem you, and to claim you as His own in your walk with Him?

I first read the story of the Exodus as a teenager who was passionate about following after Jesus. I remember thinking to myself at that time that these people complained a lot, didn't listen well, and caused themselves all kinds of problems by not trusting in God. I also remember thinking, "I'm sure not going to be like them and wander in the wilderness. I'm going to do it differently and get it right the first time!" Ohhhhh... the arrogance of my youth!

My overarching question for this series gives us the chance to probe deeply into how God renews us in the wilderness experiences of life:
Why did it take 40 years for the people to be ready to receive what God so wanted to give them?

The reality is this: We ALL have to go through wilderness experiences in order for God to renew us and shape us into the best versions of ourselves! I invite you to join us in this journey together!

Grateful for you,
Pastor John