The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-08-06

LESSON TEXT-Exodus lS:I1-ZZ; l5-lT
22a.
GOLDEN TExr-The Lord Is my strength
and song. and he Is become my salvation
Exodus 1879. Hea 4fi tH7 f ~
The destinies of the nations are
in the hands of God. Warriors are
mighty in battle, counselors are
quick to declare their wisdom, and
diplomats are clever in the manipu-
lation of wealth and people. But
when they have all exercised to the.
limit their ingenuity and power they
have only succeeded in bringing us
"blood, sweat and tears as the por-
ton of all mankind -e 81
Israel was about to be delivered
from the bondage of Egypt, and God
through His leader Moses was ready
to be their guide. Even so He guides
every believer in Christ. We may
learn three things from this lesson.
I. God Has a Plan (Exod. 10:
l7-is). tTe1"- - 'e1 4
There was a direct, easy, road
along the coast Of the Mediterranean
up to Canaan, but God with His pill
lar of cloud and fire did not lead
out in that way. ,..e
How strange that He should take
them by longer, more difficult
way! Not at all. He knew the dam
ger of the easy way. 1t was there
that the warlike Philistines would be
lying in ambush. Such immediate
conflict would discourage Israel and
tempt them to return to the
feshpots Of Egypt. So He took them
the other way.
Note that Gods guidance for them
was one of intelligent planning, not
just impulse or chance. He knew
what to do, and He did it, for their
good.
God has a plan, not only for the
nations, but also for individuals, for
your life and mine. Let us find His
will for us, for it is good, acceptable
and perfect (Rom. 1871. y.
Note the honoring Of the faith OF
Joseph in Gods promise ". 1917.
The memory of his assurance was
a blessing to his descendants, and
they honored it and him. What will
our descendants have, to say about
our faith in God?
III. God Provides Guidance (Exod.
13:2O-22).
Gods plan is made known to His
people as they follow Him step by
step. This means that there must
be guidance, moment by moment,
If His plan is to be worked out. He
gives such guidance and it is only
when His children fail to follow it
that the pattern Of life becomes con-
fused.
The field of divine guidance is one
in which Christians have widely di-
vergent experiences. Some know the
sweet, unconfused daily experience
of Gods hand upon them, caring for
even the minor details Tor are they
minor?) of life. Others have known
the directive power of God in some
life crisis, but not in the ordinary
affairs of life. Many, and perhaps
most, think of divine guidance as a
spiritual theory of which the preach
er talks, but know nothing of it
in their own lives. so
What makes this great difference?
Faith-or the lack of it. Those who
trust God accept and receive His
blessed leadership moment by mo-
ment. It is as simple as that. 9th
ers reach out and take it when the
pressure Of life makes them cast
themselves on God. Others simply
muddle along "doing their best"
which is not their best, for God is
not in it. 49,
The pillar Of cloud, which be-
came luminous at night, was ideal
for the guidance of Israel. It pro-
vided shade by day from the hot
sun, and sure guide in the dark
ness of the night.
iii. God Gives Joyous Victory
(Exod. 15:17-22a). .'..-
Israel soon came against the in
surmountable barrier (humanly
speaking) Of the Red sea. Then
Pharaoh, regretting that he had re-
leased them, came up after them
an impossible situation, and the
people began to berate Moses. This
time he stood fast In his faith and
said: ''Stand still and see the saliva
ton Of Jehovah"--and it camel
Then followed the song of victori-
Gus Joy, which Moses wrote and the
people sang. Deliverance brings
Joy, and forget it not, God Is able
to deliver those who put their trust
in Him. s.I -
The application to our spiritual
lives is a blessed one. Setting out
on Gods way does not mean that
one will not have trials. They come,
and quickly. We do not get farther
than our Red sea when the world
sees an opportunity to draw us back
and comes charging at us from the
rear, like Pharaoh. What to do?
| Trust God, and He will drown the
Pharaoh who pursues you in the very
Red sea which is now your difficulty.