The Omaha guide., 1946-01-12
A PEOPLE DELIVERED

LESSON TExT-Exodus 500; 1877
q.
GOLDEN TEXT will trust. and not
be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah even
the Lord. is my strength.-Isaiah l2:2-
SIS thy God able to deliver thee?"
was the question asked of Daniel in
the lions den CDan. 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-
pie (Exod. 5:22), the Lord revealed
Himself as the One who was not
only able but ready to take them
out of their bondage.
l.. Gods Promise O6:6-8).
Moses was to remember that ne
was dealing with the Eternal One,
Interchangeable, and always true to
His word and able to make His viii
come to pass ". 2, 81.
So often men in dealing with God
think of Him in terms of their W
weakness and failure. What we
need is to have a Godlike concep-
ton OF God, not a manlike idea of
Him. God is the infinite and the
Eternal One with whom w have 40
right to quarrel, and whose deal
ings with us are too high for US 10
judge Cps. 139: I'D.
Gods covenant with His people
was established ". AZ. He had
heard their cry ". 81, and His de-
~liverance was sure ". g.. The only
thing Moses had to do vas to wait
and see God work.
That word wait is a little one.
1t seems to call for no effort. to be
easy of fulfllment: yet it 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 a time.
His promise is sure. That is not
just a religious sentiment. 1t is a
fact, and it is proved by history.
III. Gods Plan (13: IT'D.
There was a direct, easy road
along the coast of the Mediter-
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, mor difficult
wayI 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
f1eshpots 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, accept
able and perfect (Rom. 12:1, q.
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. Gods Presence C3:20-22).
Our God does not just send a plan
or program to His people. He is al
ways with them and is ready to go
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.
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
confused.
The field of divine guidance is one
In which Christians have widely
divergent experiences. Some know
the sweet. u%nconfused daily expert
ence Of Gods hand upon them, car
ing 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 guild
nee as a spiritual theory Of which
the preacher talks. but know moth
ing Of it in their own lives.
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 1t.
The pillar Of cloud. which became
luminous at night, was ideal for the
guidance Of Israel. It provided
shade from the hot sun by day. and
It was a sure guide In the dark
ness Of the night.
We who believe In Christ have
an even better and more precious
evidence Of Gods presence-the
Holy Spirit who indwells us. He
reveals Gods will to US. urging us
on, or restraining US as the need