DIVINE GUIDANCE

Exodus 13:16-22

Morning Meditation 11/18/2013

"And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 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: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people."

THOSE LED BY THE LORD ARE FIRST DELIVERED BY THE LORD

Exodus 13:16, "And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt."

The Jewish nation was to be constantly reminded of the deliverance from Egypt by the Lord. It was not by Israel's strength. They were not allowed to develop an army or become experts in the use of weapons. God was their weapon against all their foes. This is true of us: If we are to be led by the Lord, we must first of all be delivered by the Lord.

THOSE LED BY THE LORD SHOULD UNWAVERINGLY FOLLOW

The Lord led Israel to the Red Sea. It was an area where you would not want to fight it out with the Egyptians. It seemed more like the Lord leading them into a trap. If they had not followed the Lord's guidance there would not have been the parting of the Red Sea. The Jews would long remember this experience. And the Egyptians would also. Pharaoh and his army were drowned to a man in their pursuit of the Children of Israel. The Lord does not make mistakes. Sometimes what He leads us to do does not make sense to the natural man. The fact that we have Him as our Guide gives us an unfair advantage. No one who runs up against God can win.

THOSE LED BY THE LORD SHOULD FOLLOW IN AN ORDERLY MANNER

Exodus 13:17-18, "And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt."

God is careful and wise concerning His chosen people. He did not want to engage them in war with the Philistines. This could discourage them and turn them back to Egypt. He could take better care of them in the wilderness. Sometimes the Lord leads us into a fight with the powers of darkness, and at other times He leads through the wilderness. His guidance is always right.

THOSE LED BY THE LORD WILL WALK IN THE LIGHT

Exodus 13:21, "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:"

God in the pillar led them, sheltered them, satisfied them with bread, and in the wilderness darkness shone upon them. Jesus said in John 8:12, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

THOSE LED BY THE LORD WILL BE PURSUED BY THE ENEMY

Exodus 14:8-9, "And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon."

Have you discovered that Satan is opposing the work of God in your life? He will not leave us alone. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" Paul speaks of "fighting the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12).

It is not an easy road. Sometimes we are directly engaged with the enemy at other times we fight a different kind of war. But we alway win if we are His child.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White