Exodus 23: verses 20 – 23 (NIV)
“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. My angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out.”
John Chapter 14 verse 26 (NIV)
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
What an assurance the Israelites were given. Guidance, protection and support from the Angel of the Lord. But there was a caveat; the people had to follow his direction and do all that he told them to. In spite of that promise, we know the people quickly rebelled and wanted their own way, which often led them into trouble. Yet when they paid heed to God’s direction, He gave them success.
Jesus promised that on His return to heaven, the Holy Spirit would come Himself to be our guide, comforter and helper. Each one of us who has committed our lives to God has the Holy Spirit as our personal guide and teacher. But do we ignore His prompting and guidance in the same way that the Israelites did? Do we think we know best – and how often has that got us into trouble. We are truly blest to have the Holy Spirit in our lives all the time. Let’s not dismiss His leading and direction. He wants to bring us ever closer to God the Father and reinforce everything that we know Jesus has done for us. Why would we think that we can do that better by ourselves?
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Help me to be obedient to His leading and grateful for His teaching and support. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.