Daily Devotionals
Devotional: 23rd of Iyar
Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you (Genesis 12:1).
It had been a while since I walked through the old Jewish neighborhood in Baltimore. Everything looked just as I had remembered it, only a bit more worn. It was easy to reflect on what might have been if we had not left. But we had. We had followed the leading of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to move to Israel. The choice we made was not based on earthly reasoning or personal gain, but on what would best serve the purposes of the God of Abraham, whoas he did with Abrahamhad also revealed himself to us.
In our lives, choices face us at every turn of the road. While we do not cast off our minds, the decision-making process must embrace the fact that our heavenly Father always knows what is best. Often pain must be endured when we answer the Lord's call. There is the pain of the loss of family, homes, and the comfort zone of the familiar. There is also the pain of criticism from those who do not understand. Yet, could we "seek first his [God's] Kingdom and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33) and make any other choice?
Any temptation to consider what might be gained by choosing a different road will not stand when we are secure in the goodness and wisdom of our God.
...put my hand to the plow and not look back.
MM