Wednesday May 31, 2023

Today is Wednesday, May 31 and we are learning about God our Helper.

As I begin today’s pilgrim journey, I lift up my eyes to seek the God who loves me. I quiet my mind, slow my breath and center my soul on the Lord – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy God, I seek to travel the well-worn path of the saints who have gone before me and learn the upward steps that will help me grow in Christian maturity. Hold my hand and guide me to walk in the way that leads to life. Amen.

I place my trust and faith in the promises of God with the words of Psalm 121, a Psalm of Ascent.

The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. Psalm 121:5-6

Pause and Pray

At any given time, humans experience a vast amount of uncertainty. There are many outside forces that affect our lives – political forces, social forces, economic forces, contagious diseases, the environment and weather systems. There are many things in this world over which we have no control, and ultimately the next year, the next month, the next day, and even the next hour of our lives is uncertain. How do I faithfully live in such an uncertain world? When God led his people out of slavery in Egypt, they spent decades on a wilderness journey to the Promised Land. Traveling in a vast amount of uncertainty, God went with them and guided them.

After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Exodus 13:20-22

In Exodus, God traveled with the people through the wilderness manifested as an enormous pillar of cloud and fire. Crossing the desert sands during the day, the sun was hot and fierce. The pillar of cloud provided protective shade from the blazing heat. During the night the air cooled considerably, the pillar of fire provided the people light and warmth in the desert night. The images of the pillar of cloud and fire illustrate God’s care for his children. God cares for my well-being as I journey through each day of my life. No matter what happens, I can trust that God is with me, will comfort me, protect me and guide me.

Ask: Am I confident God is with me day and night? Do I seek God in my wilderness places?

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, sometimes this wilderness journey feels like a lonely place. I find myself fretting over uncertainty, giving into fear and worrying over the future. Thank you for reminding me that you are going ahead of me to guide me on my way, lighting my path in the darkness, protecting me from the cold of the night, sheltering me from the heat of the day, and guiding my steps on the journey. I read the words from Exodus again and listen for the message you have for me.

After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Exodus 13:20-22

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

It is the nature of God to be constantly present with me in this way. The pillar never left the people, but led them, dwelled with them, traveled with them, and abided with them. This is how God goes with me too, as I progress on my life’s journey. Night and day God is with me. Night and day, God never leaves his place out in front me guiding my path. Night and day, in bad times and good, in darkness and dawning, in hostility and peace, in sorrow and joy, God is with me. This constancy of God means that no matter what happens in my life, I can count on God to be there to lead me and help me. I need not be afraid, I am not alone, God is with me and God will guide me.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, thank you for your loving presence. Come, reveal yourself to me in the places of my uncertainty. Show me how to faithfully take steps forward and follow you into the unknown. You are my light, you are my shield, you are my guide, you are my peace and you are my hope. I trust you today and always. Amen.

The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

I leave this time of prayer in the Light of the Lord. I go to shine his light in a dark and troubled world.

Amen