But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. Romans 6:22 (NIV)
In the United States, we experience a change in leadership every 4 years. The United Kingdom just had a change in their monarchy after 44 years! (RIP Queen Elizabeth) There are many shifts in leadership through Scripture, but perhaps the most drastic change in masters is in the book of Exodus when the Israelites were rescued by God from the oppressive Pharaoh. After 400 years in slavery, God would be their master now. Being under God’s rule was MUCH different than being under Pharaoh's rule. Pharoah saw the Israelites as a disregarded possession to work for himself. God saw the Israelites as a treasured possession with whom to have a relationship with. Pharaoh dealt with them from afar. God desired to dwell among them. Pharaoh increased the burden of their labor. God’s yoke was easy and His burden, light. Pharaoh demanded that they work. God commanded them to rest. Pharoah’s end for them was death. God’s end for them is eternal life. The hold that Pharaoh had on the Israelites pales compared to the grip sin has on us when it is our master. The Bible is clear: we are either slaves to sin, or slaves to righteousness. We cannot serve two masters. Our culture encourages us to live for ourselves, to define truth our own way, and to follow our own rules. Even as believers, how often do we consider our own emotions and desires as a better master than God? Proverbs 14:12 says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Let us submit to the reign of the wise King who truly knows best for us. Let us submit to his rule as He leads us straight to eternal life. We can trust every direction He gives us because unlike Pharoah, all that God does is for His glory and our good. God, I trust you as my master because I know that all you do is for my good and your glory. Thank you for redeeming me to be under your rule.