Exodus Chapter 13: Verses 19-22 (NIV-UK)
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, ‘God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.’
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.
In spite of their need to leave Egypt without delay, Moses made sure that they honoured the request of Joseph, made many years before. Proof that no matter how long it takes, God will always keep His promises. Moses had never met Joseph, and the Egyptians had certainly forgotten all about him, but God never forgets. We can also forget promises if we don’t see them coming to fruition as quickly as we would like, especially if they don’t directly affect us. We need to be like Moses and honour the requests of others, if God permits, and its in our power to do so.
The Israelites were setting off on a journey to somewhere they did not know, and had only heard of. But God went ahead of them and gave them the assurance of His presence with them, day and night. They were never without His presence. We may not see it in a tangible form, which they needed to make sure they took the right direction, but we still have the same presence of God, through His Holy Spirit, twenty-four hours a day. God has never changed and we can have that same reassurance that He gave to the Israelites.
Dear God,
I am grateful for Your constant presence with me throughout my own faith journey. May I never take it for granted I pray. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.