Welcome back! Grab your bible, today we will cover Nehemiah 9:11,12.
“By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go.” (Nehemiah 9:12, ESV)
Traveling alone to a friend’s funeral, I got lost. Very lost. A trip that should have taken under an hour, led me up into redwoods and campsites. This was the time of folded up road maps stored in glove boxes and hand written instructions. And stopping and asking for directions. Being an extreme introvert, fear kept me from asking for the help I needed.
The Israelites would have become lost without God’s continual guidance in the desert. He led them every step of the way. In verses eleven we are reminded that God parted the Red Sea. The enemy was behind them and the only way out was directly in front of them. Step by step.
Then God led the people through the desert with the cloud in the daytime and the fire during the night.
Comfort comes from clear direction.
Jesus gave his life so we could receive clear direction from the Father. Jesus is the new path. The Spirit of life. (Romans 8:2)
We can never be lost when we follow God’s lead, even when walking this new ground of the restrictions and realities of Covid-19.
There are people who would have willingly given me directions when I was lost, if I had stopped to ask. Is there anyone you know who looks lost in this epidemic? Would you answer the call of showing them the light of Christ?
Lord,
You have led me to your gift of everlasting life and love. This day will bring more unanswered questions. But I have you to place my trust in. Show me someone who needs help finding their way to you.
Hello, thanks for joining me this week. I hope these short reflections have brought you peace and strength in the Lord. They have helped me in weak moments of the day.
Please, always, look up the scripture I quote, and read it in its entirety. I may quote only part of a verse. For example, verse 2b, I am indicating the second half of the verse. But look it up and read the whole verse. I am highlighting a portion of the scripture to speak about God as clearly as possible. All of the other words are important too. The entirety of scripture is the full picture of God.
Hope to see you back here on Monday! As always, please comment, I would love to hear from you.
“Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
Oh Michele, this has been a great week. Your reflections have inspired me and have comforted me. What great timing of our Lord! As I was seeking a new devotional during the first week of our new home, you came along. So not only is God filling me with his word he also is allowing me to stay connected in a way I didn’t expect. I have been so blessed, thank you. (This is where I’d insert all kinds of loving emojis but it doesn’t seem possible in this comment section)
Hi Kelli, thank you for your kind words. I am in awe of God’s timing too. I am grateful to play a small part in your transition.