“Choosing to simply drudge through these days can become a recipe for disaster. We become filled with stress, anxiety, and desperation. All we feel invades our soul, and when the longing persists, it points us inward.”- Meredith McDaniel
“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night by a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.”- Exodus 13:21-22 (NIV)
Meredith McDaniel concludes Chapter 9 of In Want + Plenty as she stresses that what we think matters to God. Because only God possesses a window into what we really think and believe – about Him, ourselves, and the life we inhabit.
Furthermore, writing in Message of Exodus, Alec Motyer astutely observes:
“It is important to note here that people were not redeemed and then left to their own best desires. The Lord who appointed them for salvation also appointed their onward path, not as a general directive but on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis.”
Yes, Meredith underscores, God meets and guides each of us moment by moment. And breath by breath!
Hence, as the children of Israel started to surrender to the reality of their detour, God appeared in a tangible way to erase their doubt. Then, He guided them during the day by a pillar of cloud – at night by a pillar of fire. Above all, Exodus 13:21-22 tells us, God went ahead of the people. Certainly, He never expected the people to find their own way in the desert – alone.
As a result, Meredith asks, think about your own response during your dark seasons. Do you isolate yourself – try to push through on your own? Shake your fist at God? Or do you choose to trust Him?
Finally, the author exhorts, don’t settle for just wanting to get past life’s pain any way you can. Rather, let your Guide lead:
“[God] longs for you to taste the goodness of this lief here on earth even in the midst of the heavy and the heartache. He wants to give you the manna you need while you wait to tackle the unknown.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures prevent a recipe for disaster when you drudge through life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Holy people break down – own light fails”
