33 Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. 2 At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. THIS IS THEIR JOURNEY BY STAGES: Numbers 33
Much of the Bible history of the patriarchs and their descendants, Israel, relates to lengthy journeys and the events that happened to them during these occasions. They faced many obstacles and enemies as they journeyed and so may we, but God leads us as we’re willing to be led on our individual paths. We recently shared about Joseph and the course of his life. God was directly involved in the life of Joseph, but he didn’t understand what was happening to him.
14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.’ Genesis 40
Joseph gave the king’s cupbearer an accurate interpretation of his dream, but it wasn’t God’s time to release him from prison and promote him to be ruler of all Egypt, under Pharaoh. The truth is that we also may not understand events in our own lives at the time they happen, but like Joseph, only as we look back do we realise why we were on certain paths.
5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Genesis 45
I believe that I have shared before about an early prayer trip to Greece with a team of intercessors. Early in the trip my passport had fallen out of my pocket in a cafe where we’d stopped briefly. One of the regular customers there worked in the airport and so he took my passport to the airport, where it was waiting for me on the next leg of our journey. I wasn’t aware of any of this for some time, but the Lord worked the whole situation out for me, such a blessing. God’s grace is upon us as we journey with Him on the paths of our lives.
The last thing I want to share is about a historic journey in modern times. Astronaut John Glenn’s first trip into outer space. Scott Carpenter, his backup for the mission, famously wished him, ‘GODSPEED, John Glenn’. Godspeed, a somewhat old fashioned word, ‘encapsulates the notion of Divine Intervention, acknowledging the existence of a higher power who can bestow blessings and favour upon those who seek Him’. (Modified internet quote from gentreo)
We are all on a journey in this life, which will eventually take us out of time and into eternity. Know for sure that God is with us on the journey and help others when we can who are on the same path. GODSPEED ON YOUR OWN JOURNEY!
May the Lord bless us and keep us as we journey towards Him in eternity today. Immanuel, God is with us.