John 14:5 "Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we don't know where You are going, so how can we know the way?'"

For travelers, a map is as basic and vital as the alphabet. Explorers have relied on maps to open up new worlds. The maker of an early map of America wrote across unknown and unexplored regions such frightful comments as, "Here there are fiery scorpions," "Here there are dangerous giants," and "Here there are dragons." A brave explorer, who was also a Christian, crossed out all these warnings and wrote in large letters, "Here is God!"

Times come when God seems far away. Troubles and worries overwhelm our lives. Our sin has created a vast chasm between us and God. We may feel like we are lost without a map.

Yet through Jesus, God comes near to us and shows us the way. "God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19). Jesus assures us, "I am the Way" (John 14:6). Take a map, place your finger on the place where you are, and write, "God is here!" Take your calendar, with future scheduled events that worry you, and write, "God is here!" For He says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). The way to God is Jesus Christ. He has gone ahead to prepare a place for us, and has come back to lead us there.

PRAYER: Be with me, Lord Jesus, every minute of each day, and every place I may go. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 41-42    Matthew 22:1-22

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