daily devotional

You Are His Concern

Read Exodus 4:19-20

Before Moses left Midian, the LORD said to him, “Return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you have died.”

So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to the land of Egypt. In his hand he carried the staff of God. (Exodus 4:19–20)

Isn’t God gracious? We have a Lord who knows our hearts, knows our thoughts, and knows our fears. When Moses had left Egypt forty years before there were those who sought his life. He was probably featured at the top of the Egyptian version of the 10 Most Wanted list.

Naturally, Moses had not forgotten. He was a family man now, headin’ west with the wife and kids, and that potential danger must have been weighing on his mind. It was part of the reason he had been reluctant to go in the first place. But when he finally made the decision to embrace God’s will, he determined to make the journey in spite of those concerns. He told the Lord, in effect, “Lord, I’m going to trust You with all my heart. I’m not going to lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I’m going to recognize You and let You take care of the obstacles.”

So, he set his face toward Egypt and began putting one foot in front of another, in obedience to God. Before he stepped outside the borders of Midian, however, the Lord did something for His servant. He said to him, “Oh, by the way, Moses, you remember all those who sought your life in Egypt? Don’t be anxious about them. They’re all dead. They can’t hurt you now.”

What a sight that little family must have been as they headed down the desert road. His wife, Zipporah, was on the donkey, the two kids were cavorting on ahead, and a few of the family’s belongings were probably tied on the donkey’s back. They were on their way, leaving a steady job, family, security, and the familiarity of their surroundings. Midian wasn’t much, but it had been their home for forty years. And now they were on their way to Egypt—on their way to the Exodus. What faith!

Have you stepped out on faith like that recently? Have you made a move, followed the nudging of God, into realms you wouldn’t have even dreamed of five years ago? He will honour your faith as you trust Him in that kind of walk. Those who remain in the false security of Midian never get to experience what Moses experienced on that winding highway to Egypt—the sense of moving in the strong current of God’s will and plan. Press on!

Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing.