Deliverance’s Divine Dictum
Several evil spirits were cast out of Spock (name changed, obviously). He had voluntarily submitted to Satan and was involved in the worst uncleanness imaginable. The process of deliverance had started well, and he was starting to experience freedom in the name of our risen Lord Jesus.
The severity of the situation demanded that he cut off all his old relationships which were calling him back to uncleanness. Sadly he found himself wise in his own eyes and did not obey; even after being warned by the Lord that he was walking into a trap, and as a result of that he fell again.
His condition got worse, but to my amazement, he had no clue of this. Samson in Judges 16:20 ‘did not know that the LORD has departed from him’.
I was so distraught by this that it affected my health for a few days. As I was meditating on the word, the Lord spoke to me about what he went through while delivering the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. The following is an outline of what I learned.
When God takes us through deliverance, it is crucial that we follow the plan that he has set for us. It is Jesus that delivers and therefore we must follow his plan for it absolutely. Failure to do so will result in a situation far worse than before the deliverance process started, even death.
God initiated the deliverance and He dictated every step of the deliverance process.
He spoke to Moses at the burning bush, gave him clear instructions on what he must do. When we read the book of Exodus, we see that every step of the way was directed and controlled by God. Israelites were told what to eat, when to eat, how to move, when to move, even what to speak. There was nothing that God left to chance, and God spoke through Moses and Aaron. God gave them his promises. In Exodus 33:14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
When we come to the book of numbers, we find that God is guiding them with a cloud by day and fire by night
(Numbers 9: 16-25). 16 So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents.
- Whether it was two days,
- a month,
- or a year
The time did not matter, they did not disobey the Lord’s command - 23 At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
Just in case they missed the clouds or the fire by night, God had sliver trumpets sound the advance. (Num 10:9)
God was even concerned about them changing their minds.
Exodus 13:17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”
There was not going to be instant deliverance.
Exodus 23:29-30 I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.
God wanted them to learn from the process so that they will keep their deliverance.
There was zero tolerance for disobedience and complaints.
20 “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him.
In Numbers 11:18-34, we read that Israelites complained about Manna. They craved for the food that they got back in bondage. They forgot the whips and remembered only the onions and the steaks. At first God seems to tolerate this and tells them that they will eat till meat for whole month till they get sick and tired of it (Num 18-20). In reality, God was checking to see how many would give into their cravings even after God it made know that he was not pleased. Forget the month, even before they got a chance to chew the meat, God’s punishment fell because people yielded to their cravings Num 11:33-34).
God wants us well and this is why He wants to guide us
Jeremiah 29: 11 – 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way
Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.
The process is not a form of control, but a safe path to deliverance; from the control of Satan to the freedom in Christ.
Summary
- God will deliver. He initiates.
- He will use the process to teach on how to maintain the deliverance.
- The process will purge and refine.
- Rebellion and murmuring are not tolerated and will lead to destruction.
- God completes the deliverance.