During my days as a Boy Scout I had the privilege of being a senior patrol leader. One of the jobs I had was to find the best place to camp for our overnight adventures. I remember going with another leader into the woods and trying to figure out the best spot for our overnighter. We avoided the rocky areas and did not get too close to the creek in case of a flood. We wanted to make sure the ground was level and not be around the weeds. We made sure we would avoid exposure to poison ivy. You might say we were scouts for the Scouts looking for the best place to camp.
As the Lord led the children of Israel through their journey to the Promised Land He also acted as their Heavenly Scout. In Deut. 1:30,33 it tells of what He did for His people. “The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt. Who goes before you looking for the best places to camp, guiding you with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.” During those long 40 years God was their guide. He protected them from dangers. He fed them and made sure they had plenty of water. He ensured that their clothes did not wear out and He even picked the best camping spot.
Our wonderful God goes before us as well. He surveys the landscape ahead of us and determines the best places for us to camp and wait. We may wonder why the Lord allows certain difficulties or tragedies to come into our lives. When we get to a certain tough spot. we may question Him and ask: “why here?” or “why now?” I am sure that often the Israelites wondered and questioned God’s stops along the way to the Promised Land. Perhaps someone from the rear even shouted: “are we there yet?”
We are called to trust our loving God. He knows the best route for us to take through this treacherous life. But He also knows the best places for us to camp and just wait on Him.