Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, March 22, 2006 by Penny Risen

Deuteronomy 8

“Just because I’m wandering doesn’t mean I’m lost.”

This message stared out in black and white letters from a worn bumper sticker on the Toyota stopped ahead in the left turn lane. The red car wore a spattering of mud, the antenna was bent at the tip, and the rear end bore dents in several spots. But the signal blinked confidently as if the vehicle had some idea where it was headed, regardless of its external signs of wear and tear.

We all feel like we are battered a bit on our road in life. When a defeat at work keeps us from our goal, we sense we’ve wandered off course in succeeding at our career. Or if a problem at home gets us down, we feel like we’re hitting the wrong notes in keeping harmony with our kids or spouse. Worries about our health or our financial future can make us realize that we aren’t in control as we hoped we’d be as family leaders and self-sufficient adults.

But we aren’t lost, even if we are tempted to think this wandering is our defeat alone and we have no place to turn. God is with us, Moses tells the Israelites as they prepare to end their journey in the wilderness:

“Remember every road that God led you on for those forty years

in the wilderness, pushing you to your limits, testing you so that

He would know what you were made of, whether you would keep His

commandments or not. He put you through hard times. He made you go

hungry. Then He fed you with manna … so you would learn that men

and women don't live by bread only; we live by every word that comes

from God's mouth.”    Verses 2-3 The Message Bible

The Lord of the Israelites shows His resolve and might in His commands and challenges to Moses. He also shows His mercy when He provides water from a rock and food from Heaven. God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle with His help, Moses says, and we must acknowledge this fact.

Just as in the days of the Old Testament, God always is our comfort and refuge, and we can call on Him for guidance no matter how far we’ve strayed. He doesn’t count the days between one prayer and the next --- His ear is listening and His arms are open. He also hears the prayers sent from the hearts of our brothers and sisters on our behalf. We can seek His help for our families or for strangers, even those far away and outside the scope of our daily lives.

We can return to God when we are wandering, and worries and doubts make us feel we have no other resource but our own weak selves.

We can return to God for spiritual renewal and reassurance that our lives are in His strong hands.

We can return to God for forgiveness if we’ve walked away from His commandments, and return to the lessons of love and grace He gave us through His son Jesus Christ.

What kind of wilderness are you wandering in? Do you seek God when you feel lost?

None of us is beyond the need for prayer, worship, forgiveness and God's mercy. You can never wander so far that God cannot find you.

During Holy Week and on Easter, many who say they have “taken a break from religion” seek to return to churches for renewal and to reconnect with God. The light and joy of the Resurrection worship somehow pull them in, and we need to be ready as brothers and sisters to welcome them. Why not choose to extend a hand to a friend or even someone in your own family, and ask them to return to God with you? You’ll truly have something to celebrate!

Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, I am so grateful that you hear me wherever and whenever I call. Your faithfulness is awesome and Your love profound!  Help me to follow the path You’ve set, and not let fear or worry interrupt my journey.  Amen.

---

All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world.  Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily.  Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback.  Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org.

Visit the Frontline Devotions Archives

---