ESOCS Devotional 17 June 2022
TEXT: EXODUS 13:17–14:4
MEMORY VERSE: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light; to go by day and night.” Exodus 13:21 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
God directed the Israelites’ route, not “along the road toward the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby” but “around toward the Red Sea” (Exodus 13:17–18). God wasn’t calling them out of oppression and then letting them stumble around, waiting for the stars to direct their steps; rather, He had a specific path for them to follow, one in which He would lead and they would have to learn to trust and follow Him.
His presence, provision, and promises are everywhere in this story. He was there, constantly providing for His people, defeating their enemies, sending manna and quail to nourish them, literally lighting their way, and more. He faithfully kept His promises to Moses.
Guidance for a Christian comes from our ongoing relationship with God. He wants us to know him. Being guided by him is a part of that relationship. Signs are temporary; a relationship is permanent. Signs can be misinterpreted, misread, or not seen at all. God wants to lead us each step of our journey, not just in the biggies. And he does that best by walking with us, being in relationship with us.
This season, with its pandemic, politics, and personal tragedies, feels a little like the wilderness. I don’t know about you, but I would love a good map to show me how to navigate this season. Every road feels like a dead end these days, or maybe more of a roundabout that makes us move around and around in circles but never stepping out to go in the right direction. None of the old paths works anymore; and I’m not sure I want to go where these new paths are taking me.
When God called Moses, He didn’t promise him an easy road. In fact, Moses himself never made it to the Promised Land. But God did promise Himself, His presence, and His perfect provision. He was always there. Today, I need you to know that those promises, and God’s unfailing presence, are ours as well. Let us build a strong relationship with Him so that His promises of protection, provision and others will ever be sure upon our lives, even in the midst of all the crisis and economic breakdown. We believe He will always lead us.
- Learn to grow your relationship with God, so that you will not be disconnected from Him.
- Father, we pray that you continually lead us in all our paths, in Jesus name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: 2 Kings 7:23–36; John 7:25–36; Revelation 13:1–10
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 17 June 2022
