These days our cell phones generally have a GPS app and if our vehicles are new enough, there's a GPS function on the dashboard complete with a voice telling you to turn right in 100 feet--or make a u-turn at the next legal opportunity.
We purchased our first GPS called Genie, who spoke with a feminine, British accent. The contrivance plugged into the cigarette lighter and did prove to be helpful on occasion. That is, until we were wandering around the back roads of northeastern Missouri and Genie directed us to drive over a cliff into the Gorin, Missouri dump. That was the trip we decided Genie needed a satellite update.
In the Old Testament book of Numbers chapter 9, I read this morning about the cloud that enveloped the Tabernacle by day and the Pillar of Fire by night, signifying the presence of YHWH, their God, and guiding them to stay at or leave a location. Like a sacred GPS,
He was leading His people, Israel, to the Land He had promised their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob They had no clue as to how to reach their destination and most of them had only become acquainted with YHWH after He'd removed them from Egypt, marched them through the Red Sea, on dry land, ad fed them bread that fell from the sky every morning.except Saturday.
After I read that section, I thought "How convenient it would be to have a cloud to show what direction to take today." Then it hit me. "You have the Holy Spirit in you all the time, but these people didn't get to dialog with God."
The only way they could find favor with Him was to bring substitute sacrifices for their sins. Moses, their leader, was the only one of that group, at that time, granted the privilege of communicating with God.
How blessed we are in this age, on the other side of Jesus' cross. We can repent of our sins, asking forgiveness and are granted it because Jesus paid the penalty. We can communicate with YHWH, our Father, and know He has the answer, the direction we need to go.
The Creator of the universe never needs an update on His GPS. And on top of that, His GPS is personalized just for you.
So which GPS do you choose to use? Be careful. Choosing your own direction may land you in the city dump.
