By GARY ANDREWS
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In today’s fast paced society and high tech world, it seems that we can hardly go anywhere without the help of our GPS (Global Positioning System) or cell phone. There used to be a time that we used atlases or road maps to help us find our way. Now all we have to do is punch a few buttons and our directions pop up on a dashboard gadget or our cellphone.
We are all creatures of habit and we use whatever modern marvels that we can get our hands on and there is nothing wrong with this. I use these tools all the time when I am driving and have no clue where I am going or what roads I need to get there. These are great instruments for us to have.
Have you ever thought about the GPS used by the Israelites in Old Testament times? They had one and they used it without hesitation. One good thing about their GPS is you never heard it say “recalculating.”
The Lord provided a cloud cover for Moses and the Israelites to follow on their exodus from Pharaoh and Egypt. When the cloud moved they followed it. When it stopped they stopped. This is told to us in Numbers 9:17; “Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.”
Our great and mighty God shows His graciousness to us by providing us guidance in our daily lives. All we have to do is seek it and accept it when it comes. Through prayer and reading the Bible, God makes it abundantly clear what we should do every day and what our thoughts are to be.
What about the direction your life is going in? Are you on a path that will get you to heaven when your time on earth is over? Will you spend eternity with Jesus?
Just as the Israelites, we are going to have difficult days and times and wonder why God has forsaken us. We need to understand and learn, just as they did in the Old Testament times, that God never leaves us or forsakes us. It is when we turn our backs on Him that we wander away from His guidance and care. When we face difficult situations we need to pray for wisdom and also talk with mature believers that can pray and seek God’s guidance on our behalf.
God’s GPS for us is a very clear and narrow road. Even when we think He is not listening or caring about us, we need to wait on Him and stay faithful to the Lord. The prophet tells us in Isaiah 48:17; “This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Prayer: Thank you Lord God for your Word. Thank you for the opportunity of talking to you each and every day. You are a gracious and loving God and I give you all the praise for the life you have allowed me to have. Amen.
(Suggested daily Bible readings: Sunday – Psalm 25:8-15; Monday – Hebrews 11:8-10; Tuesday – 2 Samuel 2:1-4; Wednesday –Ephesians 5:8-21; Thursday – Exodus 23:20-21; Friday – Acts 8:2 6-40; Saturday – Proverbs 8:12-21.)
Gary Andrews is the author of Encouraging Words: 30-days in God’s Word. To obtain a copy go to his website www.gadevotionals.com.