Arkansas State press., 1946-01-11

"ls thy God able to deliver thee?"
was the question asked of Daniel in
the lions den dan 6:20). 1t Is In
the minds and on the lips Of many
In every hour of crisis.
God is able to deliver. Moses
found that out when in answer to
his complaint that the Lord had
done nothing for his suffering peo-
Pile (Exod. 5.2O. the Lord revealed
Himself as the One who was not
only able but ready to take them
out Of their bondage.
I. Gods Promise (6:8-8).
Moses was to remember that ne
was dealing with the Eternal One,
Interchangeable. and always true to
His word and able to make His will
come to pass ". 2, 81.
So often men In dealing with God
think OF Him In terms of their own
weakness and failure. What We
need Is to have Godlike concep-
ton of God, not a manlike idea of
Him. God Is the infinite and the
Eternal One with whom we have no
right to quarrel. and whose deal
ings with US are toe high for US 10
Judge Cps. 1879: l-6).
Gods covenant with His people
was established ". A.. He had
heard their cry ". 81. and His de-
liverance was sure ". g.. The only
thing Moses had to do was to wait
and see God work.
That word wait" Is Z little one
It seems to call for no effort, to be
easy Of fulAllment: yet 1t seems to
be the hardest thing for a human
being to do. Christians who can
speak and work for God when things
are active and moving become
querulous and respondent when
they have to wait or when they are
laid aside for time.
His promise Is sure. That Is not
just a religious sentiment. 1t Is .
fact, and 1t is proved by history.
IL. Gods Plan Q3l7-19).
There was q direct. easy road
along the coast of the Medlter.
ranean up to Canaan. but God with
His pillar Of cloud and fire did not
lead In that way.
How strange that He should take
them by a longer. more difficult
wayl Not at all. He knew the dan
ger Of the easy way. 1t was there
that the warlike Philistines would
be lying In ambush Such immedi-
ate 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 II Is good. accept.
able and perfect from. 1871, q.
Note the honoring Of the faith Of
Joseph in Gods promise ". 49, The
memory Of his assurance was a
blessing to his descendants. and
they honored II and him. What
will our descendants have to say
about our faith In God7
Ill. Gods Presence G3:20-2O.
Our God does not just send a plan
or program TO His people. He Is al.
ways with them and Is ready to 60
before them.
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,
II His plan is to be worked out.
He gives such guidance and It Is
only when His children fail TO follow
II that the pattern Of life becomes
confused.
The field Of divine guidance is one
IN which Christians have widely
divergent experiences. Some know
the sweet. unconfused daily expert.
ence Of Gods hand upon them, car.
ing for even the minor details Tor
are they minor7) 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 guild.
ance as a spiritual theory Of when