God preserves us - going out and coming in

Our Father not only created us in His own image and likeness, He preserves us in that perfect state. This week's Bible Lesson starts with that keynote to be strong and not to be afraid or dismayed. Many seem to be struggling with all three of these claims. That Bible verse from Joshua ends with a reminder that God, divine Love, is with us wherever we go. As we get in to the first section of the lesson, Psalm 121 says that God will preserve our 'going out and our coming in.' The New Living Translation says God will watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. The Message Bible translates that as 'He guards you when you leave and when you return, He guards you now, He guards you always.' There is a practical thought that you can use as you go about your busy day during this holiday season. It gives you strength.

I was reading an excellent article in this week's Christian Science Sentinel about Church in Action. The author had gradually stopped attending services and soon came to feel that he had stopped growing spiritually as well. As he prayed, he felt he needed to return to his local branch church, despite all the reasons that he had stopped attending in the first place. He did but he was always late and soon he was showing up late for other things as well. One Sunday an usher took time to talk with him about his 'dismay' and assured him that he was always in his right place. No obstacle could prevent him from being where he needed to be. As he listened to the rest of the service he gained much inspiration. That was the end of the chronic lateness at church and elsewhere. God preserved his going out and his coming in.

We read a lot about Moses in this lesson beginning with his experience by the burning bush. God had an assignment for Moses. Forty years earlier, Moses had been adopted by Pharoah's daughter when all Hebrew male children were being killed. He had been raised as a prince but forced to flee for his life when he killed an overseerer who beating a Hebrew slave. He had spent those years tending the flock of his father-in-law in a rural area. Now God wanted him to go back and confront Pharoah, who was to let the Hebrew slaves go free. Moses was a bit taken aback. He was the embodiment of feeling afraid and dismayed. But God assured him that he was anointed and appointed to this task and God would be with him all the way. He would preserve his going out and his coming in.

I am going to write out God's assurance and keep it with me all day today as I go out and come in. 'Certainly I will be with thee'. It's a certain thing. I really like that idea. It can work for you as well.