A Presence to guide you!

by Paul Zabel

Rev. Paul Zabel

During the first days of a new year, a terrible snowstorm descended upon a certain city, and people had much difficulty reaching their homes. The hills were blocked with long lines of cars and many had to be detoured on strange and different ways in order to reach their destinations. One woman found herself headed down a hill at the bottom of which many cars were stuck.

A young man got out of his car and warned her not to go down the hill because cars were lined up for a block. “What shall I do?” she asked. “I can’t back up. I tried it and it was useless.” The young man said, “I carry some sand in my trunk just for such emergencies. I’ll put some in back of your wheels.”

Though successful in getting back to the top of the hill, her troubles were not yet over. “Where shall I go?” she asked. She did not have the least idea what direction would take her home. But the young man was still there to help her out of her dilemma. “Where do you live?” he asked. She told him her address and he gave her careful instructions as to the way she should go. Eventually, after following his advice, she found herself on a familiar street and was soon at her home. As her car slid to a stop, another pulled up beside her. It was the same young man. After rolling down his window, he leaned out and said to her, “I followed you to be sure you reached your home safely.”

In our spiritual lives, we often get lost and confused. The storms of life descend upon us and we are afraid. Such was the case with Moses, as was pointed out in the Monday, December 30, 2013 devotion in the 2013 Advent Devotional Booklet entitled “The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us,” provided for us by the Lutheran Layman’s League. In the Scripture Lesson that this devotion was based upon (Exodus 33), we read how Moses made a special request to look upon God. Moses made this request because he wanted to be sure that the presence of God was with him as he led the Children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land.

In our spiritual lives, we often get lost and confused. The storms of life descend upon us and we are afraid.

Because of His love for Moses and His chosen people, God had made the promise to Moses that His Presence, the Angel of the Lord (our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ) would go with Moses and His people. Still, Moses was uncertain. Because of his fears, he requested God to reveal His presence by showing Himself in His glory. Just like the young man, who followed the unsure woman all the way back to her home to insure that she, in fact, did arrive at her home safely – God did, out of His love, reveal a portion of His glory to Moses. This too, was to assure Moses of the fact that He truly was with him and would not abandon him.

There is always a Presence, let us remember, that will give us the directions we need—One who will follow us to see that we get home safely. If it had not been for the Master, we would still be lost and confused, not knowing the way home. Because of Him, we need never fear. All we need to do is turn to Him and ask for His guidance. For He is with us always!

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Rev. Paul Zabel is President of the East District of Lutheran Church–Canada.

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