Israel's Need And God's Mercy # 3

Israel's Need And God's Mercy # 3

Blessed be God for the provision He has made for us, for we have found His grace sufficient for us, and His strength perfected in our weakness. Our shoes have been iron and brass; and as our day - so has our strength been. We have gone by day and night. Ah, some of us have traveled much by night! But we have ever found the truth of the testimony, "Unto the upright - there arises light in darkness."

He continued His kindness to them unto the end. "Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." The symbol of the divine presence continued with them until Moses died. When Joshua became leader, the ark opened the way through the Jordan, and conducted them into the promised land.

Just so, God's providence will care for us, comfort us, lead us, and supply us - until we come to the Jordan. And then Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, Jesus, the ark of the everlasting covenant - will lead us across the river, make the way plain and easy, and introduce us to the promised land.

He who began with us, will go on with us - nor will He leave us nor forsake us until He has done all that He has spoken to us of. Every jot and tittle of His Word must be fulfilled, for the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name's sake; because it has pleased the Lord to make them His people. We are confident of this very thing - that He who has begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ!

Beloved, are you traveling from Egypt to Canaan - from earth to Heaven? If so, you need a guide. No creature will be found sufficient. It must be the Lord Himself!

He guides all His people by His providence, for His eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in behalf of all those whose hearts are perfect towards Him.

He guides them by His grace. His Word is our directory - the map of our journey. On that He shines by His Holy Spirit, and in us He works by the same divine agent. He convinces, He inclines, He leads, He sustains, and at length introduces us to the eternal rest prepared for the people of God.

If God is your guide - He will adapt His manifestation to your circumstances. There will be no visible could or fire - but He will make your way plain before your face. He will not guide you as a horse or mule -  with bit and bridle; but as a rational being - as a beloved child. He will take you by the hand, gradually and graciously clear your way, and comfort and encourage you as you go on.

Under His guidance you will make progress both by day and night.

In prosperity and adversity,
in joy and sorrow, 
in light and darkness,
in summer and winter, 
you will still make way to the promised land.

The true Christian can travel by day or night. He is not dependent on circumstances. He often rises beyond the region of second causes. He makes progress - because the Lord is with him.

If God begins to lead you, He will go through the whole journey with you. He will not leave you in the middle. He will not forsake you toward the end.

Doubts may beset you, fears may assault you, satan and the world may conspire against you - but your God will guide you. He will support, supply, and defend you; and make all His goodness pass before you!

When Israel was from Egypt freed,
The Lord who brought them out,
Helped them in every time of need,
But led them round about.

They often murmured by the way,
Because they judged by sight;
But were at length constrained to say,
The Lord had led them right!

By fire and cloud their way was shown,
Across the pathless sands;
And Amelek was overthrown,
By Moses' lifted hands.

The way was right, their hearts to prove,
To make God's glory known,
And show His wisdom, power, and love,
Engaged to save His own!

Just so the true believer's path
Through many dangers lies;
Though dark to sense, 'tis right to faith,
And leads us to the skies!

~James Smith~

(The End)