What Do You Need Deliverance From and What Does It Look Like?

We each have some thing – some place in our lives we want help – we need help. We want deliverance.

You know what specific area you want deliverance in. For me, I struggle with a chronic health condition and I want healing. I’ve experienced a great deal of healing, but I’d like more. I want:

• less hardships – more healing.
• less problems – more peace.
• less pain – more purpose.
• less luggage – more life

What I’ve discovered about deliverance – in my case for healing – it doesn’t always look like what I expect.

I expect – a quick fix – a one step prayer, then, poof – I’m well, with minimal discomfort in the process.

This week I was drawn to the story of God’s deliverance for the Israelites from slavery. It is a true epic adventure story, and I can learn from it.

I, too, am in bondage – to things like my wants (for health – top of the list), or a certain lifestyle, or my desire for a sweet and easy life. Sometimes my cravings and wants lead me to unhealthy ways of thinking or living. I easily wander away from God’s best for me and in the process, I become enslaved to that which I sought freedom for.

I need deliverance. I need a new mindset.

I believe God’s promises for deliverance are not just for heaven, but He offers us saving in our here and now places. He wants to free us from our captivities – so we can live an abundant life now. So, how can you and I get there?

“How can we drive them out?”

The Israelite’s ask God this question in Deuteronomy 7 – a question we all want answered. You know what they are – they are the enemy – they are the things you need deliverance from.

God gives us four truths to approach what deliverance looks like.

1. “Remember well “…”what the Lord your God did…You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm with which the Lord your God brought you out.” (Deut 7:18). I’ve heard it said that forgetfulness (of God) is one of the greatest sins. So, let us not forget – let us ‘remember’ God’s goodness to us.
   
2. “Do not be terrified by them”……“for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” (vs 21) I get fearful way too easily. I can look at my troubles and see a giant, Goliath sized, and forget how big God is. You and I need to Stop – remember God – His power – His love – the way He has met us in the past.
3. “The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little.” …”You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. But, the Lord your God will deliver them over to you..” (Vs 22,23).  God answers the ‘how’ question of deliverance – The Lord will drive them out. God does it. Not our problem. God’s got this! Whew – is all I can say, because my solutions haven’t been working, my fixes are failing. God explains the timing of deliverance – He warns them it will happen ‘little by little’. Not the answer I want to hear, yet God has His reasons – to keep us from harm – to keep out the wild animals that would take over if He delivered us all at once. God’s way, for our best.
4. “Do not covet…and do not take it for yourselves or you will be ensnared by it.” (vs. 25,26) God gives us one final warning – advice to maintain our freedom and keep from being enslaved again. It’s surprising advice – do not covet it or take it. Sometimes I want what ‘they’ have. They have it – why shouldn’t I? God knows my heart and gives me the best reason not to take what they have – “you will be ensnared”. It’s as simple as that. My wants and my need-to-haves-its can lead me into captivity. You and I must guard our hearts.

Deliverance is God’s work on our behalf, and it doesn’t always look like what you and I expect.

I want God to do a Big Thing – drive ’em out – basically, obliterate my struggles. God often chooses a different path – deliverance, for me, has meant following God daily. Trusting Him to strengthen my body and heal me – His way – His timing – His plan – and His power.

Healing has come in unexpected waves for me, always from God’s hand. I can’t always explain it, but His sweet provision has caused my heart to overflow in thanks.

**Lord,  You are my Deliverer – the Only One who can do it. Open my eyes, Lord, lead me out of my captivities, into the abundant life You promise.

“The righteous man may have many troubles,

but the Lord delivers him from them all.”

Psalm 34:19

Linking up with Holley’s Coffeeforyourheart,  Lyli’s FaithonFire,  Deb’s Faith’nFriends, #ThisDayGodsWay