"I am guiding you on the way of wisdom and I am leading you on the right path." Proverbs 4:11

Signposts

market kampala

 i like to take pictures of signs-i don’t know why, but i always have.  this week as i’ve been reading on the beginning of Israels’s journey from Egypt to the Promised land, i began to see signposts-marked out for them along their way.  i saw God’s purposeful bringing them to the end of their abilities, inviting them to know Him.  i saw truths for the battle that is within, and the battle from without.  and it all relates so much to prayer-the knowing and the battling. all opening my eyes to more pieces of the puzzle of who God is and the signposts left for me on my own journeying through this life to the promised land.

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Look to God for direction and provision.

stop one is 3 days without water, and then water is found that is not drinkable.  Moses cries out to God and God provides him with a solution.

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seek to know the Lord my God

Next up we have the problem of food in the desert.  “The LORD said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.  Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread.  Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'”

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obey without understanding, because the God i’ve come to know is the One giving the instructions

The instructions for gathering the manna are very specific-along with an introduction into the concept of Sabbath:  each day only gather one day’s worth, any extra will spoil.  except for on the 6th day-then you can gather 2 days worth and it won’t spoil.

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write it down, take a photo, keep a souvenir.  do something to help me remember the ways He guided and provided.

“This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.'”

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Every need is an opportunity to experience God’s character.  His provision.  His help.  His nearness.  Himself.

again we have the need for water.  again a situation that we cannot solve ourselves.  God lead them here-they are completely in His will.  and they are thirsty.  it’s not a small problem, but a major concern.  and they are asking; “Is the LORD among us or not?”

big. sigh.

um, well, there is the parting of the red sea, the water that came out of a rock, that daily stuff that just appears for food.  but if a legitimate and major need for survival is not being met-what else is one to wonder?  oh, how many times and in how many ways have i been asking this very question?

 

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Strength for the battle comes from the Lord’s power.  Victory comes from the partnership of those on the front lines and those praying.

So those other’s were signposts for the battle that is within.  Now they are faced with the Amalekites attack-the battle without.  Joshua and his men fight in the battle as commanded, and Moses, Aaron and Hur go to the top of a hill.  As long as Moses holds up his hands, Joshua and his men are winning.  When Moses grows tired, Aaron and Hur hold his hands up for him.

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write it down-it is something to be remembered.  but not only that-this is training for Joshua who will one day lead Israel into battle.  He doesn’t know this, but God does.  And God finds it important for Joshua to understand how this battle was won.  i too need to understand this-and so do my children.  when they are ‘on the front lines’ (off at school) and there is victory in their day-and i have been home praying for them-we all need to ‘review the report’ and make note of where the victory came from….lest we think it’s from ourselves.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”

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Repeatedly Israel faces problems that they are not able to solve by themselves-divinely purposed!  Repeatedly God gives them more pieces of the puzzle of Who. He. Is.-divinely invited!  Their journey is my journey too….my journey specifically with prayer. and these are signposts along the path showing me the way through:

 looking to God for provision, seeking to know Him,  obeying without understanding, remembering the ways He guides and provides, allow my neediness to usher me into a deeper experience of Who. God. Is., know where my strength comes from, when my ‘arms are too tired’ ask other’s to pray for me, remember where the victory comes from, and write it all down.

In Your unfailing love You will lead
the people You have redeemed.

In Your strength You will guide them
to your holy dwelling.

to draw further in: Exodus 15-17

all photos taken in Uganda in 2010- it was fun to have a reason to share them.

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2 Comments

  1. Teresa

    Such beautiful words, Melony. “Their journey is my journey too…” Thank you for the reminders of God’s provision in his time. Also, “Every need is an opportunity to experience God’s character.” I’d never really thought of it in that context before. Thanks for giving me a new perspective. I love the theme of signposts. Your pictures also tell beautiful stories. Thanks for sharing them.

    • mel

      Thanks for the encouragement!

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