Wouldn't it be great if you had an angel go before you clearing the way? You're on your way to work and all the lights would turn green right before you got there. All the other cars would just move over giving you a clear path. You pull up to the mall and a space would be waiting for you on the front row. Instead of standing in line at Wal-Mart or the grocery store, a path would open allowing you to go directly to a register without waiting.
Wouldn't it be great if all the angry people in your life would disappear forever? Your angel would rid you of all troublemakers and annoying people. Your enemies and your competition could be eliminated without you having to do a thing. Where can I get one of those angels?
In today's reading, God promises to send an angel like this ahead of the Israelites. He was a representative of God. The only catch was that they had to listen to him and do what he said. They also couldn't start worshiping the gods of the people that were already in the land. They were to destroy their idols and sacred places. They also weren't to make a peace covenant with the people living in the land.
God said if they did those things, then He would bless their food and water, take away any sickness from them, young women would have healthy children and they would live a long happy life. Sounds like a great promise to me. Where do I sign up?
I also noted one more promise that God gave them. He said He would drive out all the inhabitants of the land which He had promised to Abraham and his offspring. But He said He wouldn't do that all at once. He'd do it gradually so that the land wouldn't become desolate and dangerous. As the people grew in number, He would drive out the negative element as needed, until the Children of Israel could possess the entire land.
Wow. Seems like lots of lessons here. We're looking at the birth of a nation. God knew it would take a while to make the transition so He carefully planned their development. They weren't suddenly a nation. God knew the chaos that would ensue if He didn't take one step at a time. Nation building takes time, training, careful planning.
So does the birth of a Christian. God doesn't take out all the supports and leave us floundering. He allows us to grow slowly. His caution, however, is to listen only to Him in the developmental process. The negative influence of our lives have to be slowly and methodically removed. Trying to invite old habits and worldly influence into our lives leads only to disaster and ultimately destruction. The best of God's blessings and a healthy life requires listening to Him and obeying Him. We don't have an angel to prepare our way, but we do have the Holy Spirit living in us to direct us, protect us and empower us.
God, thanks for preparing my way each day through your Holy Spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment