The LORD had sent Moses to Pharaoh. Pharaoh was a ruler who sought out control and held the children of Israel captive. The very people who God loves; they were bound. But Moses did as God commanded him. He addressed Pharaoh and demanded that Pharaoh let God's people go. And after God sent plague after plague to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, finally Pharaoh let the children of Israel go. Moses began to lead them out of bondage. But the Bible says that the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart. And that hardening catapulted Pharaoh to once again pursue the children of Israel. Pharaoh gathered all of his army and set out to regain control. On the other hand, the children of Israel did not have a clear perspective about what God was doing. And they adopted the perspective and the vision that the enemy had for them. A vision of such birthed fear, doom, and defeat throughout their journey. Sometimes, we get that way when faced with opposition. We adopt every feeling and fear that the enemy wants us to embody; especially in seasons of drought, unfair circumstances, and relentless attacks. But God says that he too has a vision. And his vision is final. His vision brings about hope, assurance, peace, joy, and love. His vision is to destroy the enemy in our lives. Just as it was for the children of Israel. Had Pharaoh's heart never hardened, he would have never pursued Moses and the children of Israel. He would have never been driven to the Red Sea. And he and his army would have never been destroyed by the Red Sea. If only the children of Israel could have had a different perspective perhaps their journey would have been more joyous. I believe that Jesus wants our journey to consist of joy and peace no matter what seasons we are in. I believe that Jesus wants to fill us with his spirit and change our perspectives. The thoughts that Jesus has toward us are good. The thoughts toward the children of Israel were also good. On the heels of being delivered from what had kept them bound, they were led to a place called Elim. Elim consisted of 70 palm trees and 12 wells of water. It was a place of rest, shade, provision, and fullness. Our God is so good.

If this devotional finds you going through one of the most difficult seasons of your life, I pray that Jesus will make himself known to you as you dive into these daily devotions. I pray that he will give you clarity about his vision for your life. I ask that He will drive out fear and defeat; replacing it with hope and victory, in Jesus name. May your perspective shift in such a way that it drives out fear and defeat in those lives around you. May this devotional be an oasis in your journey; an oasis full of palm trees and springs. May it be a place of rest, shade, provision, and fullness, in Jesus name. Amen and Blessings!