God Saves and God Guides

Exodus 13:17-18 (ESV) When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.

Exodus 13:21–22 (ESV) And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

God saves and God guides. Take that to the bank. As soon as Israel is free God steps in to lead them where they should go. Notice a few things about this passage.

God leads them gently. The people will war in time but the Lord knows they are not ready for it now. Though they were physically "equipped for battle" they were not mentally prepared for it. When someone first comes to Christ, He often protects them and provides for them in very comfortable ways in the beginning: answers to prayer come quickly, life seems better, there is a feeling of rest. That is God dealing gently with His chosen.

God takes the long route. He doesn't lead them in a straight on path to the promised land. On foot it would have only taken 11 days to get to the land. God is not in the business of rushing His people to their destination. God is ultimately leading them to Himself (Exodus 19:4). The point of their deliverance was not just for greater possessions and wealth; no, those things would be the by-product of life with God in God's presence. God takes His time to get His people to the prosperous place the want to be. The most important thing is that His people are fully aware of who He is.

God leads at all times. He's the pillar of fire at night, He's the pillar of cloud by day. Notice they were to travel "by day and night" (verse 21). We need to imagine after 400 years of slavery, the fear that may overtake this people at night in the cold wilderness. They would be tempted to stop, to become paralyzed with fear. But God wants His people moving forward when conditions are optimal and when conditions are questionable. Israel is learning that no matter the season their God moves them forward.

What hope for those who are led by the Spirit!

First, the Spirit guides us gently. The Spirit could crush us and overwhelm us yet He does not. He speaks softly and He speaks firmly, but He speaks to us as God's children knowing that we are like the wayward Israelites redeemed from a system that infects every part of us. There will be battles ahead, but even those are scheduled by our Father for those seasons He knows we can handle them. What a promise!

Second, the Spirit is in this work for the long haul. Philippians 1:6 says, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." That means God's work on you will not be done by next Tuesday. He's committed until Christ comes. Will you at times slide to the wrong way? Of course. Will you at times not advance as steadily as you should? Yes. But in the long run, there's going to be transformation. Eventually Israel got to the promised land. So will you because of the Spirit's commitment to you.

Finally, the Spirit is leading us through the days and through the nights. Christians are blessed to know they can and will grow in every situation of life. Philippians 4:12 (ESV) I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Perhaps it is night time for you or perhaps it has been a long uphill battle in some area, or perhaps you haven't heard from God as strongly as you wish. Could it be that God knows what's best for you and where you should go and how long it should take to get there? This passage makes it completely clear. He's called His own and He knows what He's doing for them and through them. 

Trust in Him. He's with you and for you.