Are you feeling 'plagued'?

The children of Israel, led by Moses, continue on their journey away from Egypt. They were preserved from the army of Pharoah, intent on bringing them back into slavery. They were preserved from thirst and hunger, as God showed them what He could do, sweetening bitter water and sending a daily supply of food. As the story continues they face a new challenge. Plague had begun among the people.

God continues to comfort and guide Moses who must deal with the huge group of people as they continue on this walk. I love God's assurance to Moses and I often turn to it on my own spiritual journey.  "Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." (Exodus 23:20)

Here is God's promise to send us His angel messages to keep us on the right path, to keep our thoughts uplifted and centered on Him. To keep us moving in the right way. But there's more. These angels will bring us to the place He has prepared. God's perfect plan for us is already in place and He will see that we arrive.  If He prepared it, it must be good. Nothing can be there that would hurt or harm or weaken or distress us. So in this place that God has prepared there cannot be any sickness or disease.

Plague had appeared so Moses commands Aaron, his brother and their high priest, to take a lighted censor, fill it with incense and make an atonement for the people. Aaron runs to obey. It is not difficult to see what kind of thinking was 'plaguing' the people as they learned lesson after lesson about the One God and set aside what they had learned in Egypt. They have continued their unreasonable murmurings against Moses. The burning of the incense was symbolic of sacrifice and this is accepted. The plague stops. They are forgiven. It was not God who caused the plague but their own behavior.

Is something 'plaguing' you? Is there a circumstance causing you continual unrest and unhappiness? Where do you think it is originating? With a person, or a place, or a set of events? Maybe it is time to stop ruminating over it and replace complaining with a different type of thought. Follow Moses' example and talk to God as a friend. He is always listening.

Next time this 'plaguing' situation comes up, turn aside and open up your Bible to Psalm 91. Read verses 9-11. That whole Psalm describes the lovingkindness of God, His unconditional love for you. No one and nothing can come between you. That's His promise and His promises are always kept.