Follow the Leader

Things here are a bit more hectic than usual. R's on 2nd shift this week, which means I'm a single parent for the next few days. End of the month means extra busy-ness at my day job & my part-time job. I can't think about what's on the calendar for this weekend yet, or I'll go into full-blown panic mode!

I won't be around bloggyland much for the next few days, other than to read what others are writing. I'm being lame...posting an old devotion I wrote a while back.

Blessings!

When I was growing up, I never liked to play “Follow the Leader”…unless, of course, I was the leader! When it was someone else’s turn, I would quickly tire of the game and want to quit. I didn’t want to go where someone else was leading. I wanted to be in charge.

God chose Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. I imagine the children of Israel were as excited about following Moses as I was about following anyone else. They wanted to be in charge, yet they clearly needed a leader. When Moses left to meet with God on Mount Sinai, they grew weary in his absence. They determined to follow their own leading and constructed a golden calf to worship.

This was not a childhood game. Israel’s decision to go against God’s leader provoked Him to tell Moses, “Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” (Exodus 33:3). Although God did promise to send an angel with them, Moses realized the ramifications of Israel’s sin. He begged God, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (v.15). That is my prayer! I cannot trust my heart or my instincts. I do NOT want to go anywhere without the Lord’s Presence! I desperately need His leadership. Without it, I would construct my own idols to worship. We may think that Aaron’s defense seems rather pathetic, if not impossible. Who would believe that he just threw the gold into the fire and a calf happened to pop out? (Exodus 32:24). Don’t underestimate Satan. If we’re looking for an idol to bow down to, he will happily supply one for us!

Moses could have been satisfied with the angel God would send to be with them, but he knew that God’s angel is not God Himself. You and I should never be satisfied with anything less than the presence of the Great I AM! The Holy Spirit dwells within us, but I still need to know that God is ordaining every decision I make. If I don’t have a strong fellowship with Him, I inevitably follow my own leading. I may even make some good decisions that will result in blessings and glory to God. But if His Presence isn’t with me, the outcome will never be as great as it would have been. We should be greedy for God’s best. He’s just waiting to give it to us. All we have to do is follow the Leader!

Following God is a daily walk of faith. We have to constantly check to see that His Presence is with us. He may lead us into unfamiliar territory, which can be intimidating and perhaps frightening. Yet, if we are following His instruction, we have this assurance: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). If God has given us the direction, we can be strong, courageous, and unafraid. He will lead us to the destination He has set for us, if we will just follow Him. Believer, there’s no better Tour Guide!