'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Exodus 19:4, ESV

 

No matter how far we journey with God, there will always be challenges to overcome, mountains to climb, storms to endure and battles – within and without – because life will always be complex, and this is how he tests us.

 

To only believe is not enough; it is only when we put faith into action and keep our eyes fixed on God that we see how intimately he cares for us, and how faithfully he keeps us. Then our relationship with him grows. But when we take him for granted, we are blind to this, and we lose out on the blessing of his company.

 

Sometimes the way God answers our prayers is not comfortable. When the people of Israel were in bondage in Egypt, they could never have envisaged how God would answer their cry to be freed, nor grasped that once free, they would still be required, so often, to pray, take courage, and step out in faith and trust. From beginning to end it required discipline.

 

Their escape was meticulously orchestrated, and Moses’ instructions had to be followed precisely for them all to leave in their droves. Even freedom, when it comes from God, requires our co-operation – obedience in the small details, not just gratitude for the outcome. The wilderness was tough, but God was in control throughout – there was nothing they lacked the whole way through, and their clothes and sandals never wore out. (Deuteronomy 29:5)

 

But even more remarkable than these miracles – clothes, food and water – they literally saw God leading them in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, and he spoke to them in words of love and taught them his ways.

 

He defeated their captors, carried them on eagles’ wings, and made them promises: “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' ” (Exodus 19:5-6a)

 

What fate has God delivered you from?

 

We sometimes feel that we are in bondage in Egypt, or lost in the wilderness – and yet we are encouraged when we turn our faces to God, knowing that he is strong, and that he carries us “on eagles’ wings”.

 

Often it’s only after a tumultuous time that we look back and realise he carried us through it all. His covenant and promises are for us too, as we obey his voice and keep faith with him, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer: Faithful Father, thank you that you carry us, just as you carried your people of old. Teach us to trust you in the wilderness, to keep our eyes fixed on you, and to obey your voice, so that we may know the fullness of your covenant love. In Jesus’ name, Amen