Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place." After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." Exodus 13:17-22
The people are leaving Egypt and are on their way to Canaan…the land promised to their forefathers by God…the land that God said was flowing with milk and honey. It’s been a long time since the Israelites had been free of Pharoah and the Egyptians. You’ll remember that scripture told us it was 430 years. So the generation of Israelites leaving Egypt were far disposed from the remnant of Israel that first entered Egypt to escape the hardship of the famine. They would be making their first journey to Canaan.
Well, they didn’t have the luxury of GPS systems like we have today. No Magellans or Garmins or Tom Toms. They would have to rely on more crude ways of finding their way…possibly through self-reliance by following the lay of the land. Or…they could rely on God to lead them.
Question: How do you navigate through your life? Are you trying to find your own way from place to place? Are you relying on technology to help bring you direction? Or are you just trusting and relying on God to take you where he wants you to go? For you need to know and trust that He never leads you astray…never leaves you lost…but always places you in His perfect place to carry out His perfect will.
One thing we realize quickly when we decide to surrender relying on ourselves and trust God instead, is that He doesn’t quite think like we think. That’s because He is perfect and we are completely imperfect. Things God will want us to do will not make sense to us sometimes until God’s awesome purpose is revealed and it’s then that we see His brilliance…and our lack of it.
Let’s look back at our scripture. I’m quite certain that if the Israelites had relied on their own judgment in traveling toward Canaan, they would have gone right through the Philistine country because it was shorter. After all, aren’t we taught that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. That’s just common sense isn’t it? Well…yes, it might be and that school of thought might be fine if the straight line traveled wasn’t laden with danger. What good is traveling what appears to be a shorter distance if you never make it to your destination? This is certainly the peril that would have befallen Israel if they had traveled via the Philistine territory. They didn’t see it coming…but God did and He had an alternate plan, leading "the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea." Good thing Israel followed Him and not their own inclinations.
Question: How about you? Do you always seek to go in a straight line between two points, disregarding the pitfalls that may await you if you choose that way? Or are you willing to let go and let God help you navigate through life?
We read in scripture that "the Lord…went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way" by day and "in a pillar of fire to give them light" by night. The people of Israel were able to "travel by day or night" with the Lord’s help and "neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." In other words, God was always with them to guide them and see them through.
Friends, does this not hold good news for us as we travel this Christian walk day-by-day? Our Lord, the very same Lord that led Israel from Egypt on pillars of clouds and fire, wants to lead us today as well…to deliver us from our circumstances and guide us to our own personal promised land…a land of eternity with Him and His Son Jesus who paved the way for us to eternal life.
Indeed, the Lord is our leader and our light. His Holy Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light on the path He shepherds us on. (Psalm 119:105) Just as He preceded the people of Israel to help guide them safely from Egypt…so too will He guide us to where he wants us to be. For that is what truly counts in life isn’t it? Won’t you commit yourself to surrender more to the Lord in the new year? To let go and let Him lead you. It’s a journey that you can bet will be holy…rewarding…exciting…and most of all, pleasing to the Father who sees His obedient children following and fulfilling His will. Thanks be to God for His presence, His guidance, His protection and, most importantly, His love…a love that knows no bounds and knows no end. Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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