God's Angel

Exodus 23:20-24 NKJV

"Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. [21] Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. [22] But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. [23] For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. [24] You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.

"I believe in angels" sang Abba in their song "I have a dream".

Most people don't believe in them or some, like a friend of mine, believes in angels, but not in God!

Here in this passage we read about God's Angel. This is not just any old angel - this "Angel" is unique: "My Name is in Him".

This is the pre-incarnate Christ, leading the Hebrews into the Promised Land.

Remember what Jesus proclaimed: "Before Abraham was, I AM"!

John 8:58 NKJV

Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

God's Name is eternally in Jesus and He still is leading guiding, going ahead of "His People" today.

It's so wonderful to know that Jesus is that same unseen Presence with us in our "nows". He is Immanuel (God with us) every step of the way.

Nothing a child of God experiences is a solo journey - Jesus has gone ahead, preparing the way, because He IS the Way. He stands with you, carries you, protects you.

This makes everything special, even the mundane is holy. He's with us when we hoover, clean the floor, input data, cook a meal, drive our car, read a book, watch a movie, crack a joke.

This brings responsibility too. It entails being careful, watchful - guarding our heart.

If our eyes could always be aware of the reality of Christ's Presence, there are many things we wouldn't think, say or do.

I say to my heart "be mindful" of this today.

Lord Jesus, in Your mercy, help me remember this moment by moment.

Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I AM with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.