Exodus 23 -- What A Promise!

God makes a remarkable promise to His people:  “I am sending an angel ahead of you, who will protect you as you travel.  He will lead you to the place I have prepared.  Pay attention to the angel and obey Him.  Do not turn against Him; He will not forgive such turning against Him because My power is IN Him.”

That tells me that this angel isn’t just some guardian angel.  He is Christ my Lord.  Angels in general do not have the power to judge, and only Christ had God’s power in Him.

I believe we can take hold of this promise – that God knows where we are headed and sends protection ahead of us.  Jesus leads us to the place God has prepared for us from the beginning of the world.

God continues:  “If you listen carefully to all He says and do everything that I tell you, I will be an enemy to Your enemies.  I will fight all who fight against you.”

That’s awesome protection!  I noticed what my job is in all that:  to listen carefully to everything He says, and to do everything God tells me to do.  In return, He will take care of my enemies.

“If you worship the Lord … I will allow you to live long lives.”  That’s a double blessing, because we are being given more time to worship Him!

Father, help me to pay attention, and to obey.  Help me never to turn against You or Your Son, even for a moment.  I need Your help to listen carefully to all He says and I need constant motivation to do everything You tell me.  Your protection alone is worth all that, but because You are so holy and righteous, that should be enough for me to do it anyway, whether You offer protection or not.

Just as Israel was about to start a journey into a new land, we are starting a new year tomorrow.  Please help me to do better next year.  Increase my faith and my belief, and cover me with Your protection, Father.  Go before me into the unknown of my tomorrows.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford