Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Presence on the Unfamiliar Road

Bible Reading:  Exodus Chapter 13:17-22

Key Verse:  21

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and b y night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. (vs.21)


DEVOTION

Life often takes us down roads we did not plan or think of. The people of Israel had just been delivered from 430 years of slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. Instead of leading them by the shortest route, God led them on an unfamiliar path. God’s path is not always the shortest. In verse 17 we read 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 return to Egypt”. In our life too, the shortest is not the easiest path, but the path where God’s presence is felt and experienced, God shows His love in ways we may overlook or be unaware. As children of God, we have to trust God and His wisdom over our own understanding or planning. Here what seems like a detour is actually divine protection. 
God leads us through the wilderness for our own protection. God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. (vs 18) The wilderness represents uncertainty, testing and dependance.  When we pass through life’s wilderness it shapes our faith, builds our character and above all God becomes real to us. Just as the Israelites experienced the presence of God in their wilderness journey, we too can experience God’s love and provision. 
As we read in the succeeding chapters of the exodus story, for 40 years the Lord sustained the Israelites in the wilderness. Throughout the 40 years of walking, their clothes did not wear out, nor did their sandals on their feet. (Duet 29:5). The wilderness was designed to be a place of testing to see if they would trust God rather than a punishment. During this journey God provided them with their daily necessities such as shelter, food, water, clothes. shoes, etc. In fact, their feet did not even swell God shows His love in ways we may overlook or be unaware. Sometimes God redirects or delays us; not to harm us, but to prepare us for the road ahead.  
As children of God, we have to trust God in all situations, The unfamiliar road is often training ground for God’s purpose. Instead of despising and complaining about the wilderness experience in our life, let us remember that God is shaping each one of us for what lies ahead in our life journey. As we see in verses 21 and 22 always remember that we are never alone. God goes with us; His presence is always with us. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud and by night in a pillar of fire. Same way God’s presence goes before us at all times; the cloud guided them by the day and the fire gave them light at night. 
God’s presence is constant through day and night. In our life situations, in our joy and in our sorrow; when we are healthy and when we are sick, His presence never leaves us. In fact, it is His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. What a blessed assurance. When the road is unclear, look for God’s presence and His direction. Even when Israel later complained, God did not abandon them. Same way despite our shortcomings and sinful nature, because of His faithfulness, there will always be a path back to His Presence. When we confess our sins, we can enjoy the gift of His presence. 

PRAYER

 Dear Lord, in our faith walk help us to trust your guidance even when we do not understand the path, remind us that your presence goes before us. Amen. 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Am I resisting the path the Lord has chosen for me or am I trusting His presence? 


Mathew K. Lukose
Sehion Mar Thoma Church, Dallas

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