The Devil is a Liar

So I just started reading the book of Exodus, and came across something that made me sit up and take notice. We're at the part of the story where Moses & Aaron have just come to Pharaoh to tell him that God wants his people freed. P gets mad at M & A and makes the people work harder.

Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and foremen in charge of the people: "You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don't reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies."

The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, and they said, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."

Exodus 5:6-9, 19-21

This made me realize that even way back then, which was about 1446 BC according to my Quest Study Bible, that when God's about to rescue you, the enemy works overtime to keep you in bondage and keep your focus off of Him and on yourself and your problems. The enemy makes you believe a lie and then makes you feel so busy and stressed out that you curse the very people sent to help you. Forgive me, I have done this so often....

And that's why I am so thankful that Jesus came to fulfill this prophecy stated in Isaiah 61:1-4:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Hallelujah! He has definitely given me a "garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair" this year, and the rebuilding of devastated places in my life is underway.