Genesis 32:1-2 “So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.”
Have you ever heard the expression that God uses the natural to explain the spiritual? If you are in our Wednesday night class you have heard it a lot. Well, here is something that The Lord has shown me today.
Yesterday, I had just read in Genesis 32 about Jacob seeing the angels and God said, You are in the presence of angels and Me all the time whether you know it or not.
I know there are angels all around us but a lot of times I don’t think about them. Then as I was on the interstate (in the fast lane) going to work I was behind a large SUV. The SUV started slowing down and I got impatient thinking there must be a cop up there and it appeared these people are slowing down for no good reason… I slowed down minutely but not much.
Then in an instant the SUV in front of me swerved into the emergency lane and there in front of me was a large size hard plastic cooler in the middle of my lane. I swerved right into oncoming traffic. The Lord so graciously spared me and everyone else on the road…if there was someone else in the other lane the Lord moved them quickly for there was a good bit of traffic. Immediately, I thanked God for His protection and for my angels as well.
Today as I was driving the same interstate in the same fast lane, the Lord spoke to me and said… When you drive along on the road of life (usually in the fast lane) and an obstacle comes up what do you do? Do you take the easy, natural, habitual way that everyone else takes and go straight into oncoming traffic? Or do you think first and take the road less traveled, the narrow path, the emergency lane that leads to safety for all involved?
As we know, I took the easy way, straight into oncoming traffic. How so much like life. When adversity comes up do we run to our friends, family, the paper or other sources for comfort, to meet our needs, etc.? Or do we take the road less traveled the narrow path, the emergency lane which leads us safely into the right decisions even though they may not be the popular decision.? Do we go to God FIRST and then TRUST Him to take care of our problem without reasoning in ourselves how to fix our problems?
It reminds me of Jacob seeing the angels, knowing he was in God’s camp, praying to God, then sending gifts in his own strength to his brother and 400 men who were coming to meet him. I have to confess, I do not run to God first then trust Him most of the time. Usually I swerve into oncoming traffic and run to my family, friends, prayer partners, etc to get my answers BEFORE I go to God. Or I will go to God, pray and then take an opinion poll from all my trusted friends and family as to what to do next.
His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We can get ourselves and others into trouble when we rely totally on them and not rely on God. It is not wrong to ask for prayer from prayer partners or family, but we are to FIRST go to the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. He is the only One who already KNOWS what our problem is and how to fix it . Listen to Him and trust in His sovereignty. I know I need help in this area. He is definitely showing me things to work on!!!
Dear Lord,
As we are on life’s journey let us come to You first throughout our days to seek Your counsel and wisdom for our paths. Let us stop, think, and take the narrow road, the road to safety the road that is our EMERGENCY LANE that You have provided for us. Thank You Lord for Your angels who do watch over us and who keep us from harm even when we don’t know it. We give You all the praise and honor and glory for You alone are worthy. In Jesus Name Amen.