Cruel Bondage

Cruel bondage!

Exodus 6:9”So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.”

I had worked for a few years for one of the Sheraton Hotels and had watched the workers slogging day in and day out, at the hotel. Setting up the banquet tables and clearing the place was absolutely tiresome and hard job. Just when the boys get ready to break for the day, they get the announcement that they have to do the next duty as well because someone has not turned up. Absolutely gruesome! There are husband and wife working in the same hotel and who meet each other during the break time; because they meet at home only once a week during their off day. I have watched people literally cry due to work pressure.

Same goes with working for multinational banks, hospitals and other service oriented companies. The officers do not have a set time. Under such work pressure, people do not have time to sit and listen to the Gospel message. Much like the time of the Israelites who were under bondage to Pharaoh, today people are under cruel bondage at their work spots.

God tells the Israelites in verse 7 “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” Isn’t this an exciting promise! Imagine the Almighty walking down to the place where the people were suffering and then giving them a bunch of promises and asking them to follow Him. It was actually like God telling them: “come on lets go from here, I am setting you free, I have paid the price for your freedom with my own Hand. I want you to be with Me, so that I can be your God and you can learn to love and trust Me. I have a lovely place for you, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Yet, they did not care about it! Much like today. How sad!

My school student Karun Kumar who joined our Abide School a few years ago was from a village and he knew nothing when he joined. Since he was a tall boy, I was just confused as to which class to put him in; however, Karun studied like a bull. He worked hard and I tell you really hard. Today he is number one just not in studies but he excels in all areas. Few days back he fell sick and his dad, a laborer working on road construction on daily wages had to take two days off and take him to a doctor. I asked Karun as to why he had to bring such loss for his dad who had to pay the doc fees as well as forego on two days wages, why not go on Sunday, his answer just blew me off, he said, “Sunday is for church madam!’ While I preached in our church on this, Karun and I broke down on the stage! God’s anointing filled the church! Give Sunday to God!

God expect us to step into His Hand and leave everything in His care, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)