The Road Ahead
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following
your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Amen.
Thomas Merton
Prayer for Those Searching for God
O Lord my God,
Teach my heart this day where and how to see you,
Where and how to find you.
You have made me and remade me,
And you have bestowed on me
All the good things I possess,
And still I do not know you.
I have not yet done that for which I was made.
Teach me to seek you,
For I cannot seek you unless you teach me,
Or find you unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire,
Let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you,
Let me love you when I find you.
St. Anselm
PEOPLE OF GOD
Abraham -
Called by God to leave everything behind; COVENANT; led to Canaan; faith in God – Sara conceived late in life; tested by God – ordered to kill his Isaac.
Ishmael and Isaac
1. Son of Abraham from Hagar, Sara’s slave. Considered to be the father of all Arabs.
2. Abraham’s son and father of Jacob
Esau and Jacob
Twins born to Jacob’s wife. Story about inheritance..
Significance of Jacob in the story of the people of God
His children were the heads of each tribe of Israel.
Origin of the name Israel
Jacob’s name given by God. Meaning God has sown.
Joseph and the dream coat
Who was Joseph? Story of the dream interpreter…
Hebrews in Egypt over the decades - Moses
Story about his birth…
Fall from grace with the Pharaoh
Story about him killing an Egyptian slave driver…
God makes Moses the leader
Doubted God’s command
How God make the Pharaoh release the Hebrews
From when the Hebrews exited Egypt to their arrival in the Promised Land
Followed By Pharaoh; Manna in the desert; Columns of Fire – Cloud;
10 Commandments; Golden calf; Ark of the covenant…
Questions for meditation
Have you ever had, like Abraham, let go of something familiar for the sake of faith?
Joseph’s brothers made a terrible mistake which God turned into a blessing. Has this ever happened to you?
Moses felt God was asking too much of him. Have you ever felt the same way?
Some Israelites misused God’s gifts. Think of the time you could have used God’s gifts selfishly.
THE EXODUS MY JOURNEY
1. Israel is oppressed. Slavery to Egypt 1. I’m a a slave to my sinful nature
2. Moses is Born - The “Deliverer” 2. Jesus is born - My “Deliverer”
3. Israel cries out, God hears (Ex. 2:23-25) 3. My need for a Savior, God hears (Ps. 72:11)
4. Moses is chosen to free the Israelites 4. Jesus is chosen to free me
5. God’s promise to rescue them 5. God’s promise through His Son (Jn 3:16)
6. Moses’ Miracles as proof being sent by God 6. Jesus’ miracles show that He is the Messiah
7. The Plagues 7. The spiritual battle for my soul
8. The Passover- blood covering from the 8. I’m redeemed by the blood of Jesus and
Passover lamb as a sign for God marked with a seal for eternity
9. The Exodus 9. My freedom from sin begins
10. The Pillars of Cloud and Fire 10. The Holy Spirit who guides me
11. Crossing the Red Sea (1Cor. 10) 11. Baptism - dying to the “old self”
12. Into the Desert of Shur (wall) 40 yrs. 12. Time of testing for the rest of my life
13. Manna and Quail in the Desert of Sin 13. The Bread of Life, our sustenance
14. Water from the Rock 14. Christ is this rock (1 Co.10:4)
15. Mount Sinai + 10 Commandments 15. I’m ready to obey God
16. Hebrews receive gifts of the 16. I receive spiritual gifts to use for the Spirit to build
Tabernacle, Ark, etc. service of the Church
17. The Golden Calf 17. My sin and idolatry
18. The New Stone Tablets 18. Forgiveness and second chances
19. The Tabernacle 19. Church – Community
20. The Ark 20. My heart - where God’s presence is
21. Crossing The Jordan River 21. Death of self
22. The Land of Milk and Honey 22. The Kingdom of Heaven