Session 11

We are all enslaved to something

From Exodus: A 34-Day Devotional

Blood. Frogs. Gnats. Flies. Disease. Boils. Hail. Locusts. Darkness. Nine destructive plagues and still Pharaoh refuses to free the Hebrews from slavery. Now God will unleash the crushing blow: death to all Egyptian firstborns. Pharaoh’s power as master over God’s people will end, and the slaves will walk away with the riches of their captors.

Like the Hebrews, we are born into slavery — not to an earthly kingdom, but to the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13). Our master isn’t human. Our master is sin, but our freedom will also come through the death of a firstborn.

When Jesus left heaven and was born as a human He became God’s firstborn son (Hebrews 1:6). He came to reveal the kingdom of God. He died to destroy the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 2:15). All who call on Jesus for salvation are set free from slavery to sin and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a new life (John 8:34-36). Unfortunately, sometimes we still yield to sin even though we’ve been set free.

God brought the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt to show Himself to the world as a bondage breaker. Jesus rescued us from slavery to sin for the same purpose. Is there any area of your life that does not reflect the freedom Jesus provided for you?

Reflect:

• Imagine you are locked in chains in a dark, dirty dungeon. How would you respond to the person who rescued you?
• Remember where you were when you asked Jesus into your life? When is the last time you thanked Jesus for rescuing you? Will you take a few minutes now to thank Him for how your life has changed since He saved you?
• As a Christian, is there a sin you feel has you captive? Confession is a powerful weapon in overcoming sin. Who can you confess it to this week?