Marking the Miles

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; for he said, “Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (Exodus 17:14-16 NKJV)

For as long as I can remember, whenever I have traveled any distance by car, I watch the signs that mark how many miles left until we reach the intended destination. Sometimes, the closer we would get to our destination, in anticipation, I would watch the mile posts counting down the distance.

In this scripture, not only does God instruct Moses to write a memorial for the Israelites victory in this battle, but to recount it so that Joshua and the Israelites will remember the work of the Lord on their behalf. Moses goes on to erect an altar, a physical reminder of  what the Lord had done.

This instruction for writing a memorial is important to believers today. We need to mark the miles in our journey. This relationship with the Lord is one of growth. The development of our faith requires us to identify the way Gos has been working on our behalf (Jeremiah 29:11). Additionally, benchmarks are a symbol to us about how God  has helped us change. We are not who we once were but a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Travel brings thoughts of adventure and anticipation. We should be looking at our walk with the Lord with the same joyful expectation. I realize that in this world, expectation can lead to disappointment, but our God is not in the business of disappointing His children. He is a good Father who delights in providing for you and for me. Look back over the miles you have walked. You are not where you started. Measuring where you were and how far you have come may just be the encouragement needed to reach for the next destination of your calling.