Food, Faith, and Friday

Direction and Provision Part 2

Welcome to another Food, Faith, and Friday post.  Last week, I shared how I am continually being reminded to rely on God for provision and direction.  I talked about how in this season of uncertainty, I can fully rely on Him to direct me to the place He wants me to be.  This week, I want to continue that train of thought.  The theme of my reading in Exodus this week is again about direction and provision, so I thought I would stick with that theme as well.

Scripture

This week, I have been finishing up the book of Exodus.  Although a lot of those last few chapters are hard to get through, it contains some gems I thought were worth sharing.  The beginning of Exodus 33 particularly stood out to me.  Moses and the people are wandering through the wilderness.  They know God is directing them to a specific place, but they don’t know where that place is.  Moses is frustrated because he is leading a group of stubborn and rebellious people to an unknown place.  Uncertain of whether he still has favor with God, he cries out to Him, asking God to reveal Himself.  And again, God answers.  He replies with the following:

“The Lord replied, ‘I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest – everything will be fine for you … I look favorably upon you, and I know you by name.'” 

(Exodus 33:14 & 17)

Application

Maybe I’m reading too much into this.  But as I read this passage, I picture a group of people who is in a season of wandering, trying to find the place God promised to them.  Moses, their leader, is getting restless and is beginning to doubt God.  This is when God steps in and answers, telling him the following:

1) He will personally go with Moses

God promised to never take away His presence and hand of guidance.

2) He will give Moses rest

This period of wandering was never meant to be an anxious time, but a time of trust.  Anxiety is not from God.  God promises that He will give Moses rest during this time when he is feeling uncertain and anxious.

3) He promises everything will be fine

Like any good father, God wants what’s best for His children.  He is not ambivalently leading the Israelites to a random place.  He intentionally chose the location ahead of time for the Israelites to live.  It is a bountiful land described as “flowing with milk and honey”.  A paradise for their enjoyment.  Sure they will encounter hardships along the way; that comes with living in a broken world.  But in the end, God promises that everything will be fine.

4) He looks favorably upon Moses

God takes delight in His children.

5) He knows Moses by name

God is not distant and impersonal.  He knows each of us by name.  He is vested in His relationship with His children and takes an interest in their lives.

Going Forward

Taking all this into account, I can go forward blindly, yet confidently, knowing that God will direct me to the place I need to be, even if I have no clue where it is He is taking me.  I truly believe that he is closing doors to certain jobs because He has something greater in store for me.  He knows I am a horrible decision maker, and I believe He is narrowing my options so I will be able to see the next beautiful phase of life more clearly when it arrives.  What a kind Father.

Below are some lyrics to a song by the Sidewalk Prophets that came on my Spotify this week.  How applicable and how true:

Help Me Find It

I don’t know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I’m finding I can’t do this on my own

 

I don’t know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I’m done fighting
I’m finally letting go

 

I will trust in You
You’ve never failed before
I will trust in You

 

If there’s a road I should walk
Help me find it
If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can you help me find it
Can you help me find it

 

I’m giving You fear and You give faith
I giving you doubt You give me grace
For every step I’ve never been alone

 

Even when it hurts, You’ll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath
You’ve never let me go

 

I will wait for You
You’ve never failed before
I will wait for You

 

Blessings on your home and table,                                                                                                                  ~Natalie