Exodus 4:19-20 (KJV)
19 And the Lord said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.
20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
Isn’t God gracious? We have a Lord who knows our hearts, knows our thoughts, and knows our fears. When Moses had left Egypt forty years before there were those who sought his life. He was probably featured at the top of the Egyptian version of The Ten Most Wanted list.
Naturally, Moses had not forgotten. He was a family man now, headin’ west with the wife and kids, and that potential danger must have been weighing on his mind. It was part of the reason he had been reluctant to go in the first place. But when he finally made the decision to embrace God’s will, he determined to make the journey in spite of those concerns. He told the Lord, in effect, “Lord, I’m going to trust You with all my heart. I’m not going to lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I’m going to recognize You and let You take care of the obstacles.”
So he set his face toward Egypt and began putting one foot in front of another, in obedience to God. Before he stepped outside the borders of Midian, however, the Lord did something for His servant. He said to him, “Oh, by the way, Moses, you remember all those who sought your life in Egypt? Don’t be anxious about them. They’re all dead. They can’t hurt you now.”
What a sight that little family must have been as they headed down the desert road. His wife, Zipporah, was on the donkey, the two kids were cavorting on ahead, and a few of the family’s belongings were probably tied on the donkey’s back. They were on their way, leaving a steady job, family, security, and the familiarity of their surroundings. Midian wasn’t much, but it had been their home for forty years. And now they were on their way to Egypt—on their way to the Exodus. What faith!
Have you stepped out on faith like that recently? Have you made a move, followed the nudging of God, into realms you wouldn’t have even dreamed of five years ago? He will honor your faith as you trust Him in that kind of walk. Those who remain in the false security of Midian never get to experience what Moses experienced on that winding highway to Egypt—the sense of moving in the strong current of God’s will and plan. Press on!
Have you stepped out in faith recently into new realms undreamed of before?
— Charles R. Swindoll
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