Hi and welcome to Van Life Devotions. We are in the incredible country of Egypt with amazing history. We know something of the history of the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings, the Nile, the Pharaohs, and other wonderful sites, but let’s not forget that some of the biggest names in the Bible found refuge in Egypt and our God revealed Himself in powerful ways in this very country.
As a place of refuge, Abraham and his family came to Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs. According to Genesis 37, they came here because a severe famine struck Canaan. Egypt was well known for its fertile area because of the Nile River. After a period of time, Abram, as he was known then became wealthy and went back to Canaan.
Abraham’s great-grandson Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, and he ended up in Egypt and found refuge here (Genesis 37). Eventually, Joseph rose through the ranks to become Pharaoh’s right-hand ruler over Egypt (Genesis 41:37–57). Through Joseph’s mediation, Jacob and all his family also found refuge in Egypt as they were escaping another famine (Genesis 45—47).
For the Coptic Christians that live here, they are very proud to say how their country became a place of refuge for Jesus and His parents Joseph and Mary when the evil King Herod murdered infant boys in and around Bethlehem. We don’t know where nor how long Jesus stayed in Egypt, but we do know that He came to this country.
Not only was Egypt a place of refuge for Biblical greats Abraham, Joseph, and our Lord Jesus, but it was also here that God performed one of the greatest miracles and came down to meet with others.
I think of the great exodus and how God allowed those plagues to occur to change Pharoah’s mind to let His people go. What about the spectacular miracle of the parting of the Red Sea allowing the 100,000s of Israelites to escape slavery. That happened here in this country!
What about God’s presence at Mount Sinai. On two occasions Moses met with God – both occasions the experience lasted for 40 days. Now, this wasn’t just a time of prayer for Moses. The Bible tells us that God came down. To the Israelites “the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain” (Exodus 24:17 NIV). It was during this amazing experience that God gave Moses His Commandments for the Israelites to live by when they enter the Promise Land and form a nation. And so it was in this country, not far from where I am, that God gave His Commandments.
But the presence of God didn’t end there. Listen to this from Exodus chapter 33 verses 7 to 11.
“Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.”(Exodus 33:7-11 NIV)
The Lord’s presence was so close that He spoke to Moses face to face. I find it surreal to be in this country where God did amazing things and people like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and our Lord Jesus walked and communed with God Almighty. And yet I am also fully aware that I can commune with God at any time and at any place because Jesus promised, “be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT).
Let’s pray:
Gracious Father. Thank you that I can be in Your presence whenever and wherever, thanks to Your Holy Spirit. We look forward to the day that we will see You face to face.
O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
David Moyes
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