Today’s prevailing ideologies are all directed at programming humankind to prioritize their own interests above all else. In this world, it seems morally sound to pursue the things that are sensible, sensual, satisfying and in alignment with our understanding of happiness. Consequently, we find ourselves drawn to influencers who promote the tenets of success, prosperity and well-being and who capture our attention and direct our intentions daily.
This pervasive focus on self stems from our innate inclination and hereditary disposition towards sin, leading us to believe that we possess the ability to chart the course of our lives entirely, as if we hold the exclusive authority to write our own life narratives. We are led to believe that by adhering to the principles of success, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, upholding moral values, and conforming to societal norms, we can eventually attain the ultimate goal of life satisfaction. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that achieving true fulfillment and purpose in life is an unattainable endeavor without the presence and directive of El Shaddai (God Almighty).
Child of God, what if I were to share with you that you are, in fact, a stranger in a foreign land? Would you consider this notion? Much like Moses, your birth occurred during a time when the forces of darkness sought to snuff out your existence from the very moment you came into this world. Yet, it was God’s unwavering protection that enshrouded you, preventing the natural and spiritual forces of death from gaining a foothold.
There exists a profound and remarkable aspect of God’s divine safeguarding, particularly when one’s true identity remains concealed. I’m certain you can reflect upon the countless occasions when God shielded you from the numerous perils that lurked when you were an integral part of the world’s fold.
In the book of Exodus, we encounter the remarkable tale of Moses, a Hebrew child who was raised in the midst of Egyptian royalty. His very survival was a testament to his mother’s bravery, as she concealed him as a baby, placing him in a basket coated with tar and pitch and made of papyrus seeds. She did so to shield him from Pharaoh’s cruel decree that all Hebrew male infants should be put to death.
As Moses grew into early adulthood, his identity bore the imprint of an Egyptian upbringing. This fact becomes evident when he came to the aid of the seven daughters of the Midianite priest, assisting them in drawing water from a well when they contended with hostile shepherds. Among these sisters, one of them named Zipporah would later become Moses’s wife, under the mistaken belief that he was of Egyptian origin. It’s worth noting the significance of Moses’ name, which means “drawing out.” Just as he helped the daughters in their drawing-out predicament, God was preparing to draw out of Moses his true character, purpose and likeness that was concealed.
This narrative carries deep symbolism in the context of the lives of God’s children. Much like Moses, we were conceived in the realm of the supernatural and brought into a fallen, earthly world where our adversary, Satan, relentlessly seeks to accuse us and impose the condemnation of eternal death upon us. Acknowledging our spiritual infancy, God guarantees our protection and provisions until we reach a level of maturity where we can sustain ourselves by feasting upon the nourishing spiritual sustenance found in His Word. This enables us to actively work out our own salvation, don the armour of God, and stand unwavering in our faith. God always conceals our identity in spiritual infancy and reveals who we are in maturity because purpose is not only birthed but also cultivated for fruitful rewards.
Matthew 4:4
He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
I understand that many individuals may find themselves disheartened or in inner turmoil when considering Moses’s act of killing the Egyptian who had assaulted the Hebrew man in Exodus Chapter 2. However, we can draw a parallel in our journey as we mature into spiritual adulthood. Just as Moses had to confront and eliminate the Egyptian, we too must be prepared to put to death aspects of our own Egyptian upbringing.
The symbolism behind Moses’s actions serves as a powerful reminder for us to wage a similar battle against our own flesh. This entails relinquishing our right to self, and it requires us to eradicate every trait, motive, and disposition that has been shaped by the influences of the world during our upbringing. In essence, it is a process of putting to death those attributes which do not align with our true lineage.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”
Romans 6:11-12
“So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires.”
John 3:6-7
“Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.”
Initially, we are born into a world that feels like our home. We wholeheartedly embrace the culture we’ve been raised in, believing it’s definitive of our identity. Our speech mirrors theirs, our thoughts align with the teachings we’ve received, and we readily adopt the trends that seem to reflect our perceived selves.
Growing up, we hear whispers about our true inheritance, about our connection to a divine family tree rooted in the triune God. However, it often appears to be nothing more than a distant fantasy. We are exposed to the notions of God’s authenticity and the truth of His Word, even as we live lives that frequently contradict and run counter to the very essence of who God declares us to be.
Deep within however, there exists an innate understanding that we are not truly at home in this world as children of God. It echoes the divine words found in God’s Word, wherein He declares His knowledge of those who belong to Him. This profound insight suggests that there is a distinct new creation of people inhabiting this world—a people living amidst the trappings of an Egyptian-like existence while carrying a Hebrew heart within.
We are more than bearers of a Hebrew heart; our lineage is intricately intertwined with the very blood of the Lamb. We stand as heirs to a sacred and royal priesthood, divinely chosen and set apart for a higher purpose long before our first breath graced this world. The lineage of Moses, belonging to the priestly tribe of Levi, serves as a poignant symbol for those among us who have been justified through our eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9-10
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
Dear Child of God,
If you ever find yourself feeling like a stranger in this world, grappling with a sense of not quite fitting in, but simultaneously overwhelmed by the presence of the Divine, please know that you are not alone in this journey. If your deepest yearning is to intimately know God and to lead a life that brings Him joy, if you often return to His loving embrace like the prodigal child, if you find rebellion against God’s principles utterly unappealing and consider repentance a way of life, if you prioritize genuine obedience over mere religious rituals, and if the Holy Spirit serves as your unwavering guide, then take heart.
Even during those moments when you may feel inadequate and incapable of getting everything right, remember that your resolve to walk the path of salvation remains steadfast. Today, I want to encourage you to understand that, regardless of the season you may currently find yourself in, you are, first and foremost, a child of God. You were born of the Spirit into a royal family, where the light of God perpetually shines. Throughout the ages, darkness has perpetually failed to grasp or fathom the brilliance of God’s light. This signifies that Satan’s power is rendered impotent in the presence of the radiant light of God emanating from your life.
You are cherished, chosen, and dearly loved. Now is the time to fully embrace the purpose for which you have been called and to run with determination the race that has been set before you.
Keep running, my dearest readers, and as you do, make certain to never dim your light!
God Bless!
