Day 3: Preparing for the Journey

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls being bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders. The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked—Exodus 12:34 -36 (ESV)

For Insight

How do you prepare for a long journey or to go somewhere you have never been before? If you are going by automobile, you might put some things in the back seat or trunk you might possibly need. If you are flying or taking a train or bus, you might put things in your carry-on bag that you might need during your trip. Certainly weather, amount of time spent in travel, and the terrain you will go through will determine a lot of what you pack or carry with you.     

The Israelites were about to embark on a journey to their own land. God told them exactly what to do; how to pack, and what they would need. They listened to Moses, and they had everything they needed to begin life in a new land and place.

As we stand at the portal of a new year, we may feel well prepared. After all we have all kinds of markers to get us through a year: weeks, calendar months, holidays, seasons. All the things that help us mark where we are, so we know what to do during those times. But there are other things, many things we cannot determine. We have no idea what is waiting for us in the days, weeks, and months in front of us. 365 days is a long stretch when you don’t know what’s ahead. We’ve been through other years, but we’ve never been through this year.

Just as God told the Israelites though they were going into the unknown they had him with them on their journey and so do we. We don’t know (exactly) what’s ahead, but we have God to supply our needs. We have God to warn us of danger and protect us from enemies. We have God to comfort us when the need arises, and God to heal us when we need to be healed. We have God’s wisdom and God to strengthen and watch over us. We have God to bless us and God’s Holy Spirit to guide us.

As sure as we begin, we can know that something on our journey over this year will be new, will surprise us, and even frighten us, but God is with us all the way from start to finish. All we must do is turn to him, trust in him, and listen to him. He will get us through.  

God, thank you for your promise to be with us all the way from beginning to end. Amen

On a Scale of 1-10 how confident are you that God is with you into the unknown?

If you said less than “10” what next step will you take to increase your confidence in the presence of God?  

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