By Pastor Shana Wise
God is serious about His children. He wants a relationship so much with His children that He will fight for them. God’s original intention for mankind was for us to be in total fellowship and alignment with him. When sin entered the Garden of Eden, it put a breach in this fellowship. God had to send his son Jesus Christ to restore access to the Kingdom of God to His children.
In the book of Exodus, we find the Israelites in the bondage of slavery under Pharaoh's control in Egypt. They were not able to worship the true and living God, but Pharaoh wanted them to worship him and the gods of Egypt.
God sent Moses to be a messenger and a prophet to the Israelites. God instructed Moses to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let his people go so that they could worship him. Pharaoh did not concede to Moses’ request. It took 10 plagues and Moses going to Pharaoh 6 times for the Israelites to be set free.
God will move heaven and earth for his children! He loves them that much and he does not want them to be in bondage to anything.
There are many people globally in bondage to something. They have their type of “Pharaoh” or “Egypt” situation going on. These bondages may look like drug addiction, idol worship, a slave to someone else, low self-worth, oppression in the land, sex trafficking, abuse, hopelessness, despair, and the list goes on.
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.
Satan would have God’s children in bondage, but God created and designated his children to be free!
John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
God told Pharaoh through Moses to let his people go so that they could worship Him. When God delivers you from whatever is holding you, he wants you to worship Him. Worship helps to develop and cultivate our relationship with God. It helps us to see our lives and others through God’s eyes. It helps us to stay spiritually in tune with heaven and not the things of this world. Worship transcends beyond man’s religion and practices, and it ushers us into the presence of God. Worship helps to keep us free from the bondage of the enemy. Worship is essential to our beings.
Exodus 4:22-23 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.” ’ ”
Interestingly, God announced to Pharaoh what He would do if Pharaoh did not comply. Pharaoh did not comply, and his son firstborn son ended up dying in the final plague.
What other lessons can we learn from this verse?
Ex. 5:1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ ”
This request specifically detailed a feast for the Lord. Part of our worship should include a celebration with food and honor to God.
What type of celebrations do you hold for God?
Ex. 8:1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
Ex. 8:20 And the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
Ex. 9:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go into Pharaoh and tell him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
Ex. 9:13 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me,
Ex 10:3 So Moses and Aaron came into Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
Serving God is part of worship. There are many ways to serve God. We can serve Him with our gifts, time, and talents.
It is important to start our day with worship and praise of God.
What are some of your morning routines? Do you worship God during this time?
In what other ways do you serve God?
Worship will humble you and cause you to direct all your attention and time to God. Pharaoh did not like this because he wanted the people to serve and worship him and his gods. Like Pharaoh, Satan wants to keep us distracted from worshipping God. He wants our focus to be on everything else and he tempts us daily with distractions.
What are some distractions that you have? How are they competing with your time with God?
In Exodus 10:24-29 Pharaoh wanted the Israelites to go and worship on his conditions and not God’s. God wants his children to worship Him on His conditions (John 4:23-24). Many of us are not experiencing our breakthrough and release because we want to serve and worship God the way we want to. God has specific requirements when it comes to worshipping him.
John 14:16 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Jesus will show us the way to the Father. He will teach us how to be in a relationship and fellowship with God. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, that opens the door to eternal fellowship with God. We do not have to wait to worship God when we die, we should worship him daily.
Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection broke the curse of sin. This unselfish act that Christ did for us, will deliver us from bondage and will cause us to be released to worship God.
Watch the video message on our YouTube channel Wise Choice Ministries.
About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor who founded and oversees Wise Choice Ministries with her husband Pastor Ron Wise. She is also the CEO and founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network. Dr. Wise is the author of Women’s Devotionals Acts of Intercession and Chief Women Arise, The Impact of Your Election, and the Basic Ministry Training Manual (all available on Amazon). She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate it through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist who appears on social media outlets. Shana is married and has four children.
For speaking engagements email: wisechoiceministries512@gmail.com.
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Acts of Intercession
The Impact of Your Election
Basic Ministry Training Manual
Chief Women Arise
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