"See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. " (Exodus 23:20, NLT)"For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him." (Psalm 34:7, NLT)"For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone." (Psa...  Read More

Last and first, first and last.There are some games I play with my older granddaughter that have no rules. We simply play with them because the game pieces are pretty cool. The one has a farm full of nifty animals with lots of barns. It's a favorite. We have played it enough times for Poppop to be aware that the rules will change...multiple times per game. You see, the person with the most farm an...  Read More

God's presence was terrifying to the people of Israel as they anticipated His encounter with Moses that would give them the Law. Even after they were consecrated and prepared, they were afraid to death. Boundaries were set up (Exodus 19:12) so they would not get too close. Even after the Law was given, they begged Moses to be their mediator (Exodus 20:18-19) for fear of dying. God's awesome displa...  Read More

 "What you’re doing is not good," Moses’s father-in-law said to him. "You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone." (Exodus 18:17-18, CSB)Today my reflection has turned to celebration and thanksgiving. If ever there was a moment that Jethro's (Moses' father-in-law) words were proven true, this January at ...  Read More

God's direction is on purpose. When God did not direct Israel to take the most direct route to save them from war and defeat, they did not understand that His plan was for their good and protection (Exodus 13:17-18). You and I know this because it's history...they did not. We may not, however, understand God's present direction, but history (and experience) tells us we can trust God's Word. Beside...  Read More

"You must be dressed for travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand" (Exodus 12:11, CSB)."Be ready! That for which you prayed in tearful desperation, what you thought God would never do because of the long delays and bitter hardships, is about to happen...now!" Normally for a family dinner on a special occasion, the sandals would be at the entrance of the house, the staffs of t...  Read More