Exodus - Week 3: Deliverance

BY BRITTANY SCHICK

DELIVERANCE

Let’s just say it plainly: Most of us love the idea of freedom, but we’re a little less excited about the way God actually brings it. Because deliverance, in Scripture, is rarely quiet. It’s disruptive, uncomfortable and can be downright intense.

In Exodus 6, God doesn’t ease into it. He declares it.

“I Am the Lord.”

In Book of Exodus 6:1–8, God introduces Himself to Moses in a deeper way, not just as the God of their ancestors, but as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping, promise-fulfilling God. Then He lays out seven promises. Not suggestions or possibilities. Promises.

* I will free you
* I will rescue you
* I will redeem you
* I will claim you
* I will be your God
* I will bring you into the land
* I will give you the land

Notice something: God doesn’t say, “I’ll show you how to get out.” He says, “I will do it.” Deliverance starts with God, not with us getting stronger, smarter, or more disciplined. If we’re being honest with ourselves? This is where it gets uncomfortable. Because we like control and we like to feel like we played a role in saving ourselves.

But God is crystal clear here: Freedom is something He accomplishes, not something we engineer.

DELIVERANCE REQUIRES COVERING

Then we get to the Passover. In Exodus 12, God gives a command that feels heavy. A lamb is sacrificed, and its blood marks the doorposts. God says: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

This wasn’t about effort. It wasn’t about morality. It was about covering. The New Testament doesn’t leave us guessing what this points to.

In First Epistle to the Corinthians 5:7, we’re told:

“Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.”

That’s not subtle. The same God who delivered Israel through the blood of a lamb delivers us through Jesus Christ. Here’s the hard truth: We don’t outgrow the need for rescue. We just get better at pretending we don’t need it.

DELIVERANCE OFTEN LOOKS IMPOSSIBLE FIRST

Then, just when you think they’re free … they’re trapped. The Red Sea in front of them. Pharaoh’s army behind them. No exit.

Classic God setup.

In Exodus 14, God doesn’t provide a workaround, He makes a way through. Water splits. Ground dries. A path appears where there was none.

Let’s not sanitize that moment. That wasn’t a metaphor. That was chaos being held back by the hand of God. Because sometimes deliverance doesn’t look like a door opening. It looks like walking straight into something that should destroy you and watching God hold it back.

FROM DEATH TO LIFE

Fast forward to Gospel of John 5:24:

 “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life… and has crossed over from death to life.”

Crossed over. That’s Exodus language. The story isn’t just about Israel anymore, it’s about us. We were slaves. We were covered. We were led through.

Deliverance isn’t just a moment in history. It’s the pattern of how God still works.

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS?

Here’s where it gets personal. Because it’s easy to nod along to a story like this and miss the question underneath it:

Where do you still need deliverance? Not the polished answer. Not the “church answer.” The real one.

* What are you still trying to manage instead of surrender?

* Where are you waiting for God to assist you instead of fully rescue you?

* What situation feels like the Red Sea—completely impossible, no way out?

*If you’re honest, do you actually trust Him to come through?

Deliverance requires trust. Not halfway. Not “I’ll try God and keep a backup plan.” Real trust.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

PRAYER

God,

You are the One who frees, rescues, redeems, and restores. If we’re honest, we don’t always trust You to do it. We hold onto control. We try to fix what only You can fix. We ask for help but hesitate to surrender.

Remind us who You are. Not just a God who can deliver but a God who does.

Cover us with Your grace. Lead us through what feels impossible. Teach us to trust You fully, not partially, not cautiously, but completely.

We don’t want to stay where we are. So lead us out.

Amen.