When you are looking for direction, is there mileposts you are looking for? Is there a specific sign you need to know it’s a go? Are you looking for markers to help you know which way to go? Once you get it, how do you response? Are you prompt and take action? Do you look for additional confirmation?
Trusting the Call Amidst Uncertainty
Abraham’s Journey of Faith – Genesis 12:1-4
The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.
In the biblical narrative, Abraham serves as a prime example of responding to God’s calling despite uncertainties. In Genesis 12:1-4, the Lord instructs Abraham to leave his country, family, and father’s household, guiding him toward an unknown destination. Here, God’s call acts as a pivotal milepost in Abraham’s life, demanding faith and obedience. The application for fathers is evident – when confronted with decisions guided by God’s calling, it requires trust in His plan, even when faced with ambiguity. Fathers can draw inspiration from Abraham’s journey, learning to lead their families with unwavering faith, embracing God’s calling even when the path ahead seems unclear.
Seeking Confirmation with Humility
Gideon’s Fleece – Judges 6:36-40
Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
The story of Gideon in Judges 6:36-40 provides another biblical example of seeking confirmation as a milepost for God’s will. Gideon, filled with humility and uncertainty, places a fleece before the Lord, asking for a specific sign to confirm His guidance. Gideon’s approach demonstrates a balance between seeking divine assurance and acknowledging human limitations. Fathers, too, can learn from this example – understanding that seeking confirmation is not a sign of weak faith but a humble acknowledgment of human fragility. By approaching decisions with a heart open to confirmation, fathers can navigate God’s will with a spirit of humility and dependence.
Yielding to God’s Guidance in Timing
Paul’s Macedonian Call – Acts 16:6-10
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
In Acts 16:6-10, the Apostle Paul experiences a moment of divine guidance known as the Macedonian Call. God redirects Paul’s missionary journey, indicating the specific location where his efforts are needed. This narrative emphasizes the importance of discerning God’s timing as a milepost for forward movement. Fathers can apply this lesson by recognizing that divine plans unfold in God’s perfect timing. As leaders of their households, fathers should cultivate patience and attentiveness to God’s guidance, allowing His timeline to unfold as they navigate the path laid out for them. This aligns with the biblical principle that there is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and fathers can trust that God’s timing is purposeful and wise.
Navigating with Faithful Assurance
As we journey through the pages of the Bible, we encounter compelling narratives of individuals who responded to divine calling and sought signs and confirmations as mileposts in their faith walks. Abraham’s unwavering trust, Gideon’s humble seeking, and Paul’s yielded timing all serve as beacons guiding us in understanding God’s will. In our quest for direction, we must recognize the vital role of these mileposts, these markers that reveal God’s calling. As fathers, the responsibility to lead our families demands a posture of faith, humility, and patience.
In embracing Abraham’s faith, dads are encouraged to trust God’s call even when the path is unclear. Gideon’s story teaches fathers to seek confirmation with humility, acknowledging our human need for reassurance without compromising our trust in God’s plan. Paul’s Macedonian Call reminds fathers that divine timing is crucial; they should navigate their roles with patience, recognizing that God’s perfect plan unfolds in His time. Therefore, as we stand at the crossroads of decisions and directions, let us, as fathers, embrace the lessons from these biblical mileposts. By doing so, we cultivate homes grounded in faith, characterized by humble seeking, and marked by patient waiting, ensuring that our leadership reflects the divine guidance we seek in our journey of fatherhood.
This year, I am utilizing the 365 Daily Devotions book I received for Christmas, applying its teachings specifically in the context of fatherhood. It’s called WALKING WITH GOD by DAVID JEREMIAH. It’s exciting to get to learn from a new resource this year as we have tried different options the past two years and will keep working through this one for 2024. For more information about the author and his ministry, visit: DavidJeremiah.org.
Topic: PROPHETIC MILEPOSTS
Verse: Luke 21:31 (NIV)
Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
Therefore, let’s be the dads who are being aware and attentive of what is taking place in and around us. Additionally, let’s make sure to stay in the Word of God so that it is fresh in our minds and available for the Holy Spirit to bring to us. Moreover, let’s be the dads who know that the kingdom of God is near!
Today’s Devotional reflects on mileposts and the importance of prophetic mileposts in helping us “oriented on humankinds’ journey through time.” We need to know about, see, and be able to respond to those markers in our lives. Let’s be the dads who see them and can respond properly.
Mileposts History:
The Origin:
In Roman times, mileposts were stone markers used to indicate the distance along roads. They played a crucial role in the Roman Empire’s extensive road network, helping travelers navigate and measure their journeys. These milestones were typically placed at intervals of one Roman mile (about 1,000 paces), providing travelers with a sense of distance and direction.
Biblical Context:
In a biblical context, mileposts can be seen as symbols of journey and progress. The Bible often uses the metaphor of a journey to convey the spiritual and life path of individuals and communities. For example, in Psalm 119:105, it says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” suggesting a guiding force similar to mileposts on a road.
US Perspective:
In the United States, the concept of mileposts has been adapted in the form of mile markers or highway markers. These are used on highways and roads to indicate the distance traveled or remaining to a particular destination. They serve practical purposes for navigation, emergency services, and general road information.
Biblical Perspective 2:
From a biblical perspective, mile markers can be related to the concept of milestones in one’s spiritual journey. In Philippians 3:14, the Apostle Paul speaks of pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Mile markers in this context could represent significant spiritual milestones, such as personal growth, overcoming challenges, and progressing in one’s faith journey.
Milestones as Important Markers:
In summary, mileposts, both in Roman times and in contemporary use in the USA, serve as markers for measuring and navigating journeys. In a biblical view, they can symbolize the spiritual journey, growth, and progress in life, aligning with the idea of pressing towards a goal or destination in faith.
Prophetic Milestone insights
Today’s Devotional points to Genesis 3:15 as milepost 0, “where the prophetic promise of Satan’s defeat is found.” It then points to the final milepost from Revelation 21-22, where it points us to “the eternal city, the new Jerusalem.” Life happens in between these where there are even more markers “related to the past, present, and future of God’s chosen people Israel.”
Today’s Devotional closes with this callout for all of us, “The greater your knowledge of God’s prophetic markers, the greater your security in an unsecure world.”
“In Him history and prophecy are one and the same.”
A. W. TOZER
