In Kindergarten one of my favorite games was Red Light/Green Light. Our teacher would stand at one end of the classroom and either hold up a red stop sign or a green colored go sign. If she called out, “Green light!” we’d take steps toward her. If she said, “Red light!” we’d freeze in place. Although we could get our little bodies to stop and go on command, we couldn’t do the same with our giggles while we played!
Moses exemplified a prayer habit for us to follow when it comes to red lights, green lights, and all the travel we do in between. In Number 10 the Israelites were leaving Sinai for their first approach to the Promised Land. So they set out from the mountain of the LORD and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest. The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp. Whenever the ark set out [Green Light!], Moses said, “Rise up, O LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.” Whenever it came to rest [Red Light!], he said, “Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:33-36).
Before Moses set out, he prayed. When he came to the end of the day’s journey, he prayed. What a great example for us to follow as we travel through life!
Psalm 121 is known as the Traveler’s Psalm. Missionary explorer, David Livingstone, read this Psalm when he worshiped with his father and sister before setting sail for Africa. One of my middle-school classmates said they never headed out on a summer vacation without her dad first reading this Psalm to their family.
It contains two important pray-all-the-time points for life’s journey.
Keep your eyes fixed on God all the time. I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:1-4).
God’s eyes are on you all the time. The LORD watches over you – the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:5-8).
Prayer Step: 1. Before you set out, pray. 2. When you stop, pray. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 throughout your life’s journey.
Prayer is the first thing wherewith a righteous life beginneth, and the last wherewith it doth end. -Richard Hooker
