Day 9 - Flies

Bible

Read Exodus 8:20-32

Key Verse: Exodus 8:28

“All right, go ahead,” Pharaoh replied. “I will let you go into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God. But don’t go too far…”

Key Thought

Freedom requires physical distance.

The Voice of the Enemy

I know it seems like we are losing ground and, I hate to admit it, but I suppose we are. But don’t be discouraged. Here is what you now must do: begin to bargain with the humans and offer compromise. Don’t you remember how we did this with the Israelites? We told them, “go worship, but don’t go far.” Oh, say that line again. Isn’t it beautiful? It will ring like a song in the ears of the humans. “Go, but don’t go too far.” In this way, if we “lose” them, we still keep them as close to the line as possible. Tell them to serve God, but to still remain as close as possible to bondage. Here’s what this looks like; tell them, you can serve God AND…. “You can serve God AND stay close to the line of compromise. You can serve God AND still be in the toxic relationship. You can serve God AND still have their number in your phone. You can serve God AND still keep a few pills around just in case.” You get the idea. Yes, they’ll worship God for awhile, but as long as we keep them physically close to the source of their captivity, they will return every time!

The Voice of the Father

My son/ my daughter, when I created you, I created you for an “all-in” relationship with me. I don’t want you to just live separated from sin; I want you to live separated unto Me. I don't want you just to be free from chains and bondages of the past, I want you to enjoy freedom in Me. I know the enemy is saying “don’t go far,” but I am calling you all the way out and all the way in. There is freedom in me. There is joy in me. There is life in me. Often, that requires a physical distance between you and what I am freeing you from. I told the Israelites they needed a three-day’s journey into the wilderness to worship me. I know that the temptation to return to your chains can be strong, so I want you to put “a three-day’s journey” in between you and your greatest temptation.

Questions

Am I trying to live for God but also staying too close to the line?

Am I trying to serve God AND…?

In what ways am I staying close to the line of compromise?

How can I put physical distance between myself and what I want freedom from?

What would it look like for you to put “a three-days journey” in between you and your greatest temptation?