Mensa Otabil - Remember the Journey
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Welcome to the first day of the month of December, a brand new month. The last month of the year, 2022, has been memorable for most of us in many ways, but God has been good to us. So, we start the last month of the year, and may the Lord take us through to the end of the month and into the brand new year that is about to embrace us.
So, we go back to Exodus chapter 13, verse 17. Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, «Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.» So, God led Israel out, and there was an easier way to take them through, but God said, «If I take them through that easier way, they’re going to face too many battles, and they may think that it’s not worth it; let’s go back to Egypt.» So, I’m going to take them on a longer route, and in that longer route, I will be with them until they get to the promised land.
So, we’re looking at remembering God on this journey and God’s leading along the path that He has called us to. The first thing we want to look at is that God leads us in the right way. God’s leading is always right. The Israelites had to learn that they had just begun their journey to Egypt, and of course, they had been in bondage for so long they wanted to be free and just rush into wherever they were going. But God says, «I have to lead them in the right way.»
So, God leads us in the right way, and the right way of God’s leading may not always seem like the shortest and simplest solution to our problem, but it is God’s right way of leading us. So, that’s the first thing we learn: God has a right way of leading us in our lives, and for all the things that you are doing in life, remember God has a right way of leading you. It may not seem like the perfect way, but it’s the right way for you.
The second thing we note is that God leads us according to our strength. God says, «If I take them through this route, they’re going to fight battles they cannot handle.» And so, God has already judged His people and realized what they can handle and what they cannot handle. The Scriptures tell us God will not permit any temptation to come our way that we do not have the capacity to endure and to overcome. If you are going through it, then you will come out of it. If you’re going through it, you will come out of it. That is God’s promise to us.
So, He says, «I’m taking them through this journey because I know what they can handle; I know what they cannot handle. This is the best route for them, and they will come out victoriously.» So, God leads us according to our strength.
The third thing is that God leads us according to the destiny He has for us. Everything that God does for us, with us, and through us has a destiny marked on it; there is a purpose for it. God doesn’t make mistakes with His judgments; He’s always leading us and bringing us to the places appointed for us. So, they’ve been delivered, but they are not going through an easy way. They’ve been delivered; they’re going through another method, and God says, «I’m going to use this to strengthen you because there are going to be battles you fight later that this process will help you and equip you to overcome.»
May we trust the leading of the Lord. May we trust the guidance of the Lord. May we trust His purposes for our lives. May we trust that nothing can overturn God’s purpose for our lives. In the end, He will work out His perfect will in every area of our lives. That’s one of the things we learn as we read through the whole book of Exodus-to see God’s hand in the history of a nation. The same hand in the history of a nation can be in your story also, bringing you step by step into the place appointed for you.
Let us pray. Pray with me: Heavenly Father, I trust You to lead me in the right way. Lead the way, and I will follow, in Jesus' name. Amen and amen. Well, I’ll catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.