Standing on the brink of the unknown can be quite daunting especially with the many uncertainties. Being assured of an experienced guide along the way can give confidence to sojourners and make the journey more bearable. We see this when on their way to the promised land, Moses asked his brother in law who had better experience in the wilderness than him to help in showing them the way. In Numb. 10:29-31 we read,
Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.” And he said to him, “I will not go, but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives.” So Moses said, “Please do not leave, inasmuch as you know how we are to camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.
Here we learn a valuable lesson from Moses – that even though we may be gifted in various ways and able to take on the tasks ahead of us, it is also important to identify and harness all the available resources at our disposal for greater output and impact.
At the beginning of a new season, one is faced with an unknown future that can only unfold with time. God’s children can be sure of His presence and all the benefits therein as they submit to His leading on their journey of life. This is the reason we find Moses having a conversation with God, desiring Him to accompany them on their journey to the land of promise. When God assures him of His presence, Moses says that it would be better not to proceed without Him as we see in Ex. 33:12-15:
Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
Moses realized that even beyond the need for an expert human guide, it was of paramount importance that the God Who was the originator of the Hebrew people and their journey to the promised land, accompany them on their way.
We too should follow this wisdom and align ourselves to the One Who holds the future and can ably lead us through the months ahead. Facing the future may cause us to have great anticipation on the one hand and apprehension on the other. However, knowing that God is with us and has gone ahead should give us the push and confidence we need to take whatever step of faith because His word tells us in Heb. 13:5b that: ‘For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ‘
Prayer
Father, we sure are glad that You’ve promised to be with us throughout life’s journey. Because we know that You hold the future, as Your children we are assured of Your guidance into our unknown tomorrows. For this reason, we choose to confidently trust and depend totally on You for the road ahead of us.
