“When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you!”  Deuteronomy 20:1 NLT

 What phrase describes all that the Lord has done for you?

God’s people had a phrase. You may not have noticed how often it is repeated. “The Lord God who brought you out of the land of Egypt…” That one phrase described so much for the Hebrew people. It summed up who they were before God delivered them, what they had lived with for 400 years, what God had done to deliver them, and how He had defeated the Egyptians without any action on their part. All they had to do was trust Moses, their leader, and obey the commands he gave to them. That phrase reminded them of how Pharaoh and his army drowned in the Red Sea after they had walked through on dry ground. It reminded them of the manna that had sustained them as God guided them through the desert by a pillar of flame and cloud. It reminded them of all that God had done in the desert as He prepared them to enter the Promised Land.

What phrase describes all that God has done for you up until now? I’ve been thinking about that but haven’t come to any conclusion for myself yet. However, this contemplation reminds me of just how important personal testimonies are. How easy it is to forget what God has done. We each need a reminder of how God “brought us out of Egypt.” I know I do!

What was your Egypt? Mine was insecurity, perfectionism, abandonment, and rejection.

God changed the identity of the Hebrews from slave to free. He changed my identity from second choice to chosen child.

God delivered them from monotonous work for Pharaoh to exciting adventure with God. That’s what He has done for me and you as well. We no longer work for ourselves or society. We do our work as participants in the Great Adventure of God’s plan for Planet Earth. How awesome is that?!

God brought them out through no effort of their own. He did all that was necessary through miraculous signs and His favor. He did the same for you and me through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

How has God defeated your past enemies? God has used His Word to defeat my enemies more than anything else. As I have learned and lived His truth the enemies of fear or insecurity or rejection or perfectionism have lost their power in my life. It has taken time and effort unlike the miraculous opening and closing of the Red Sea, but I know who I was without Him. Who I am now is nothing like who I was when I first “came out of Egypt.” He was with me every step of the way as I fought those lies with truth. How is He with you now as you face your current battle?

I am still contemplating what phrase sums up all that God has done for me, but until I come to a conclusion I am going to borrow the Israelites’, “The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you!

Remember, the Lord who brought you out of Egypt is with you. Do not be afraid. The battles that He has won for you in the past tell the story of how He will win this current battle. You are not alone. You don’t need strength. The Hebrews had none. You only need trust and faith. What He has done in the past, He will do again. As He has loved you through deliverance before He will do it again.

Don’t be afraid. The Lord who brought you out of your Egypt is with you.

Key Question: What phrase describes all that the Lord has done for you?

A Scripture to Consider: “When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you!”  Deuteronomy 20:1 NLT

A YES Challenge: Give yourself time to think back to your Egypt. Be intentional as you remember what the Lord has done for you. Choose a phrase or Scripture as a reminder and post it somewhere you will see it.  

Prayer: Father God, You have done so much for me. You have brought me so far. You have delivered me from my Egypt and changed my identity. I know who I was before You entered my life. I have thought about who I would be if You had not transformed me. I am so grateful! Continue Your good work in me. Amen.