day six: God rescues us from the kingdom of darkness and transfers us into the Kingdom of Light!

Why do stories of heroes and villains, good and evil, engaged in an epic battle for the fate of the world resonate so deeply with us? 

Because they are true.

At a gut level, we know that there is a spiritual battle raging for our souls and destinies which eludes our naked eyes. Its effects are all too visible in our lives, families and communities. 

In the pages of the Old Testament, this clash of good versus evil unfolds vividly in the Exodus story, mirroring the spiritual battles of today. The narrative of an oppressive pharaoh symbolizes the enemy of our souls, referred to in the Bible as the devil and Satan. He ensnares through temptation, intimidation, and accusations.

But, just as God rescued the Israelites by an awesome display of power, our Savior has done the same at the cross. The last plague, the one that broke the pharaoh’s stronghold, was the plague of the first born. 

Moses declared that God would strike down the first born male in every household in Egypt. To protect God’s chosen, Moses instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and paint their doorway with the blood of the lamb.

Through the cross, Jesus our Passover lamb, redeemed us and delivered us from our bondage to sin and death. Jesus not only sets us free, He changes our address from the kingdom of darkness to His Kingdom, full of endless opportunities for us.

So, while we may feel defeated by patterns of behavior we seem powerless to change, Jesus has already handed you the victory. We stand as the Israelites did when they left Egypt, with their backs turned from the evil of their past and setting our gaze on a promising land filled with blessings and hope. We just have to start walking towards it.

Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 4:34-35
 
-   34 Has any other god dared to take a nation for himself out of another nation by means of trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts? Yet that is what the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, right before your eyes. 35 “He showed you these things so you would know that the Lord is God and there is no other. 

Scripture Reference: Colossians 1:13-14
 
-   13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom[a] and forgave our sins. 

Scripture Reference: Colossians 2:14-15
 
-   14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed[d] the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. 

Prayer Prompt: Ask God to open the eyes of your heart so that you may see and understand the spiritual battles you are facing and God’s plan for your victory. Ask that He may give you the courage to obey His commands so that you may walk in victory. ​