Traffic Lights

The other day one of my neighbours allowed her toddler some space to roam around outside, under the watchful eye of mum. The toddler, who is clearly just learning to walk, was enjoying her new-found freedom. Wisely, in the interests of safety, the child’s parents had installed a safety gate by some nearby steps. Just then, another adult came out and needed to pass through the gate to continue their journey, so the child’s mother opened the gate.

In a flash the little girl saw her opportunity and, with faltering steps, and much glee, headed for the open gate. However, the loving mother, whose eyes had never left her child, immediately shouted, “No”, and, with a gentle guiding arm, she steered the child towards her, away from danger. She could then open the gate to allow the adult the freedom to go their way.

This picture reminded me of our Heavenly Father, whose loving gaze is always on His children. At no time in life’s journey are we ever beyond His gaze or attention. He knows the way that we take and, if we are listening and obedient to His voice, His Holy Spirit will guide us by His Word into all truth, and away from dangers seen and unseen. He keeps us safe under the shadow of His wings.

Through the lens of international news reports, watching the nations of the world negotiate present dangers, seems like watching international traffic lights. For some, the green light of freedom couldn’t come quickly enough, and is a welcome relief, especially, in our ‘on the go’ age. Others are still on amber, not sure whether it’s safe enough to move forward, but for some the red stop light looms large and menacing. However, it is through the lens of Divine Providence that we, His children, need to view our circumstances, for it is only the Lord who knows and can see where the unseen enemy is lurking and only He can deliver us from evil and can keep us on the pathway of safety.

In the passage from which today’s scripture is taken, God revealed to Elisha all of the enemy’s plans and strategies, and so the king of Israel and the nation were rescued on more than one occasion, to the anger and frustration of the enemy. On this occasion they didn’t have to fight. But on other occasions in the nation’s history, they had to be ready to fight. They had to carefully listen to the Lord’s command as He, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, has the correct strategy for each battle.

The Lord will not compete with other voices for our attention. He wants to draw us aside, in the safety of His arms, to impart His revelations, for ‘the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him and He will show them His covenant’ (Psalm 25:14). While He is imparting His word to us, He is also at work behind the scenes, manoeuvring everything in our favour, from His perspective.

So never doubt your Heavenly Father’s love for you, for His ways are perfect. ‘He (God) who begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ’ (Philippians 1:6).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that Your loving gaze is always upon us while You bring about Your eternal plans and purposes. Help me to keep my gaze continually fixed on You for Your ways are higher than our ways, and they are just and perfect. In Jesus’ name. Amen.