If we’re going to be free and inherit our promises we’re going to have to learn to fight. Just because something is God’s will for us doesn’t mean it will come easily or without opposition. In fact, there are always forces which oppose the advancement of God’s kingdom. Whenever God’s power is breaking into darkness with salvation, healing, restoration, deliverance, love, guidance or provision, we can expect a counterattack from the enemy. So we have to learn to fight, but the battle we experience primarily takes place in our own minds. When the devil’s backlash comes we tend to become discouraged, allowing negative thoughts to quench our hope.

This chapter of Exodus vividly exposes the heart of the devil. Working through Pharaoh we see a cruel personality which wants to keep people in bondage and oppose the work of God. We learn that the devil will not stand back passively and release people even when God commands it. Instead of giving up and slinking away quietly he reacts using his own arsenal of weapons. But Exodus brings us good news. It shows us God’s power far outweighs the devil’s, so we can be confident He will deliver us if we only learn to stand firm.