“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21
We went on a journey by car recently and were asking for precise directions. Our friend asked if we had Sat Nav but, as we haven’t, he gave instructions. I wrote them down and was ready to take the correct turns at each point. I had already planned a route by using maps and his directions completed the journey plan.
When we go to new places I always plan our route in advance and act as navigator while my husband drives. It is easier for him if I give directions, so when I’m not with him I usually plan his route too. I write the motorway and road numbers in large letters so that he can glance at them, and I tape them to the dashboard.
I would be redundant if we had satellite navigation, but I would still follow the map because I like to know where we are and how the journey is progressing. I enjoy planning a route, especially for a holiday. If we are going somewhere new I study the map and plan places to visit while we are there.
My husband has been for a few job interviews recently and I have looked at the areas, pouring over maps and researching on the internet. When he gets a new job, I am already armed with lots of information to help the move go smoothly. I have done this several times now so I know that preparation is really useful.
“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.”
Exodus 13:21
When the Israelites left Egypt for the promised land there were no maps, no Sat Nav and no internet to help them. They were totally reliant on God to direct them. He led them step by step, never leaving them by day or night. When the cloud moved, they moved and when it rested in one place, so did they. They didn’t have to work out which way to go or scout ahead to find the best route. They just looked up, packed up and followed.
I wonder how they were thinking as they moved on. Did they look forward to the journey, discussing what they would do when they got there and what kind of house they would build? When they set up camp again only to pack up again a few days later, did they get frustrated and ask “are we nearly there yet?” I suspect they would have liked to know all the details about the route, the time it would take and what it would be like when they got there. I certainly want to know all these things when we are moving. My imagination is stimulated by the questions in my mind as I daydream about a new house and a new lifestyle.
The Israelites must have had some negative thoughts about the promised land though, which is not surprising as their experience in Egypt had been really negative until God broke in. They were probably really excited at first, believing God’s promises, but as time went by they began to listen to negative thoughts and fears. By the time the spies checked out the land they were already expecting disaster and wanted to run. It’s hard for us to understand because God was so obviously with them. They didn’t just hear from God, they had a manifestation of His presence with them all of the time. How amazing! What would we give to have that in our lives.
When we think of our lives as a journey we often refer to the Holy Spirit as our guide and the bible as a map. When we read and study the books of the bible we can adjust our course in line with what we learn, but we also have the Holy Spirit as our guide, our Navigator. He will give us insight into what we read, help us to recognise where we are going and how to get there. He whispers in our ear to give course changes, encouraging us to stay on the right road, keeps us from detours and warning us of the dangers ahead. Of course our part is to listen to His voice. The Sat Nav on the dashboard is no good if we ignore it. We may think we know a more direct route, but He sees ahead and knows where that would lead. He knows about the incident up ahead, the road works, the steep hill and the dead ends. We must learn to listen and obey His prompting. Then we will reach our destination quickly and safely.
