Monday 4 Jun 2012

Monday Reading: Nehemiah 9:13-20

Key Verse: Nehemiah 9:19
19  Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.

Devotion:
Why is it when we look for some guidance we always want the biggest and best things to guide us? We always prefer something or someone that is larger than life to be able to take us in the right direction rather than that still small voice that God maintains that we look for. Yet throughout history we see time and time again that God used the appropriate things to gain our attention and to guide us in the way that He knew would make a difference to us. Yes we can look back on many times in our own lives as well when we can see just how far God is willing to go to gain our attention.

It is not so much that we needed the biggest bang or brightest light to gain our attention but rather that that is exactly what God knew would take for us to get the point. It has been because of His mercy that He continues to provide the right things at the right time for each one of us. This is demonstrated to us so well as God led the children of Israel through the desert; what a harsh climate to be in – one that fills us with dread but also shows us our hopelessness.

God showed the Israelites that they could depend on Him, not just when they actually needed Him most but also during those times when they may well have felt at their best or at their safest. God is never going to turn His back on us as He continues to guide and teach us every step of the way!

I don’t know if you have ever had to face up to the scorching sunlight in a desert but it gets pretty hot out there. There is nowhere to escape as the sun gets higher and higher, but God gave the Israelites hope and direction every step of the way, not just the pillar of cloud during the day but the pillar of fire by night as well. The coolness of cloud by day and the heat and light of the fire by night; what more could He do to impress on us His merciful touch is beyond our expectations and everlasting? There is absolutely no way the Israelite had any excuse to turn the wrong way and run away from God – but they did. Just as we will continue to make mistakes as well, so they did. But His mercy bore them through the desert and so it will bear us through our infirmities and needs.

Points to Ponder:
What do you expect God to do for you?

Are you still waiting for an earth shattering event?