But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied

and spread so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

Exodus 1:12

 Isn’t it wonderful when life is chugging along without a crisis? These seasons are pleasant, but what happens for a believer when life falls apart, or someone tears us down, or seeks to harm us? Have you ever seen God do the most amazing things in the middle of a crisis? Did your faith grow?

Crisis has taken me deeper in Jesus than anything else! (Take that, Devil!)

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘oppression?” Pain, discomfort, abuse? Certainly my first thought about oppression is negative.

Christian oppression is growing. We feel it in the United States, but we really do not understand what oppression is until we learn what is happening in other places around the world.

Israel understood oppression in several situations of captivity. In Exodus 1 we see them enslaved in Egypt, unable to freely worship God and enjoy their homes, families or fruits of their labor. They were enslaved because they had become so prosperous after moving from their land to find food in a famine. Pharaoh was jealous of their strength and prosperity and ordered harsher measures to suppress them more and more.

And yet, in the midst of this, they multiplied. This led the king to order all the male Hebrew babies killed as soon as they were born. Yet God continued to grow His work in the midst of the slavery they endured, leading toward their eventual freedom.

How does this apply today? If you look at the countries where Christianity is growing the fastest you will often find countries where persecution is prevalent. As Christian persecution is growing, we see college campuses and churches experiencing revival.

Next time you face some kind of oppression, or a loss, disappointment or hurt, ask God what He wants to do in and through you to grow His kingdom on earth!

Thank you, Jesus, that nothing can stop your work!

Chris Adams