Exodus 23:14-33

“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” (Exodus 23:20, NKJV)

Have you ever seen an angel? I can't say that I have (although my wife likes it when I call her “angel”). The Bible tells us that angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). As the children of Israel were in the wilderness, God sent a special Angel to accompany them on their journey until they reached the Promised Land.

Think of all the challenges they would face—enemy troops, lack of food and water, locating grazing land for their livestock, sanitation, and the continual murmuring and complaining of 2 to 3 million people! How they needed God’s help through all this! This Angel of the LORD would keep them in the way God prepared for them. Since the LORD's name of Yahweh was in Him, we believe that He was Jesus Christ in what theologians call a theophany. The people needed to fear Him and obey Him. But if they did this, then the Angel would deal with their enemies and bring them safely into the land of milk and honey.

Today God has also made a way for us. He has prepared works beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus keeps us in the way by His Spirit who dwells in us. We must believe in Him, fear Him, and submit to His leadership with childlike humility. The guardrails are God’s Word which keeps us from veering off course into a ditch. With the Spirit and the Word as our guide, we can be confident that we are kept in the way until we reach our final destination.

We don't always understand our circumstances. Many times, we can’t make sense of what is happening. But if we know that we have an Accompanying Angel, then we can be at peace and not be afraid. He will guide us safely through all of life’s threats and challenges until He brings us home.

How is your Accompanying Angel leading you today?