When God Says Go
By Dean Collins
When God says it is time to go, it is likely for our protection and therefore aligns with his purposes. Sometimes our obedience may result in our protection, and sometimes our obedience may have a purpose that is broader than we could have imagined.
All through scripture we have examples of men and women who were prompted to go. When God told Abraham to leave his homeland, it was to go to a place God would show him, but Abraham didn’t know where that place was located. When Moses told Pharaoh to let the Israelites go and he finally relented, Moses led the Israelites into the wilderness. They left not knowing the route or how long it would take to get to a promised land.
Sometimes he spoke directly and sometimes he spoke through the prophets or by angels. As we read Matthew 2, we see that after the wisemen left the house where they found Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt and to stay there until they were told to leave. Joseph had the broad location and mission, and he was told by the angel the reason: “Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
Scholars differ on how long the family stayed in Egypt. Some suggest a few months and some up to a few years. Many believe it was around 2 years, though no one can be certain. What we do know is that after Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in another dream and told him to pack up and head back to the land of Israel because it was now safe. Joseph obeyed but along the way heard that Herod’s son Archelaus was reigning over Judea in his father’s place. He learned again in a dream to head to the district of Galilee.
Sometimes God’s plans are revealed specifically and other times more generally, but faith and obedience is always required if we are to walk faithfully in the will of God. Hebrews 1:1-2 reminds us that ultimately God has spoken to us through his son Jesus. Hebrews also teaches us that the word of God is living and active and sharper than a two-edged sword. While we may often wish that there was an angel whispering specific instructions in our ear, that is not the way God’s word says he speaks to us today.
We know that when we come to Jesus through our obedience to what he has asked of us in scripture, he will give us the Holy Spirit to guide us. Sometimes the time to go and the place we are called to go to are clear to us. Sometimes it is clear that we are to wait. But always we are to be about the work of discipleship by sharing the good news of Jesus with those wherever we are.
Father, help us to trust you and your plans for us. Give us ears to hear what your word says and the courage to follow you where you lead us. Thank you for your promise that you will be with us and that you are all we need each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 ESV
Photo by Pexels
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