You are strong.

Exodus 1:7
But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.

Joseph, by the grace of God, was able to bring his entire family into the land of Egypt.  He gave them the best portion of the land, freedom to raise their crops, and provided for their families in every other way.  Pharaoh even gave them charge over his flocks based on the word of Joseph (Genesis 47:6).

But, as is with any human life, Joseph and that generation of his family eventually all died.  His Pharaoh also died and a new Pharaoh took over, one who didn’t know Joseph or all that he had done for Egypt.  But the death of Joseph did not stop the blessing on his people.

As the children of Israel, who were quickly becoming a great nation, grew in numbers, this new Pharaoh became very afraid.  He began to impose strict rules; he set taskmasters over them and afflicted them with great burdens (Exodus 1:11).  Basically, Pharaoh made the children of Israel a slave nation.

Yet, in spite of all that he did, Israel continued to prosper in the land.  They continued to grow strong and mighty.  They, because of their increased numbers and prosperity, became a perceived threat to Egypt.  The Egyptians saw this; Pharaoh saw this, but the children of Israel did not.  They did not see how great a nation they had become.  They were unaware of the power that they held and their ability to be free from the bondage of Pharaoh.  Instead, they submitted to lives of servitude to a cruel ruler.  

How many times in our lives do we subject ourselves to the whims of a tyrannical ruler?  We have a far greater power than the vast numbers of bodies the children of Israel possessed; we have the finished work of Jesus Christ.  We aren’t living under the rule of a Pharaoh, but in a world where the Devil is the prince (John 14:30).  And, like the children of Israel, we sometimes forget how great a power we possess!

Israel could have mounted up and taken Egypt, and Egypt knew it.  The sad fact that Israel didn’t know it is what kept an entire nation, millions of people, in bondage.  Here’s the truth for today: Christ has fought and won the war.  The Devil has no authority over you because you are covered by the finished work of Christ’s blood.  Satan wants you to believe that you are powerless; he wants you to think that you must work, work, work and never take a rest.  But Jesus says that He has come to give you rest (Matthew 11:28)!

When the enemy tries to pressure you and keep you down, rise up and resist (James 4:7).  He will flee from you because he knows you are in Christ and Christ is in you!  Know that, because of Jesus, you are free from the dominant rule of the Devil.  You are free to worship, to praise, and to prosper.  You are free to enjoy the land, your family, and your health.  The Devil knows he’s defeated and now you do, too!