Joel M Bradshaw

23So the LORD saved Israel that day.–1 Samuel 14

Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t exactly know how you were going to make it through, but did?

I was driving in downtown Chicago one morning to do a hospital visit. I was leaning heavily on my GPS driving instructions. At one point, I was driving down a street I did not know, but seemed to be underground or covered. I needed to make a turn to get out of there, but the GPS had stopped receiving a signal. I had no idea how to get out of there and the traffic was unbearable. I remember wanting that part of the journey to end and at the first opportunity I exited out. I didn’t care what street it landed me on.

Out in the sunshine, the GPS tried to recalibrate, but the tall buildings obstructed the signal. This small town boy was getting frustrated and worried. Then I started seeing signs for the hospital I needed to go to. By the time I was pulling into the parking garage I needed to use, the GPS chirped at me, “You’ve arrived.” I remember being so relieved, I didn’t give my usual sarcastic retort. The pastoral visit went well and I wasn’t even that far from a popcorn shop that my wife wanted me to visit.

This seemed to be our text today in 1 Samuel 14. Jonathan concocted a strange plan that seemed to me like he was using one of those magic 8-ball toys from my childhood. Nobody in the chapter really knew what was going on. But then in the end, God delivered and provided.

God is at work even when we don’t know he is. I trusted God that day driving in Chicago. And yet, I don’t want to drive down that frustrating street again if I can help it. You might be going through something confusing or frustrating in your home, in your relationships, or at your job. God is at work. He will bring you to the destination he has already chosen.–JMB