On May 14, 1804, the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead an expedition from St. Louis, Missouri to the west coast of our country. Such an adventure has been captured in newspapers, books, and movies throughout the years. Documentary films have been offered to show the trials they endured along the way and how they overcame them.
The story of how the Lewis and Clark Expedition dealt with the perils that lay in front of them is not only interesting, but sometimes unbelievable. They encountered tribes of Native Americans – some friendly, others hostile. They had to rely on the land itself to provide food and shelter. They had no idea what they would meet as they traveled over unfamiliar and uncharted lands.
As we travel this broken world we live in, God gives us advice on how to navigate the troubling times. He shows us how to prepare, how to put our plans into action and how to finally reach our ultimate goal. When we wonder how we’ll meet another day – when the road is unfamiliar or dangerous – when the going gets more than tough – those are the times we rely on our Creator the most. When Moses led the children of Israel to the promised land, he faced much the same thing that Lewis and Clark would encounter. (Of course that journey lasted quite a bit longer,) They were led by God through His constant presence as they traveled. They became impatient and often gave up. They trusted in their own plans rather than God’s. They grumbled and complained. They strayed from God’s promises. They made an idol to take God’s place. Even in their groaning and groveling, they were protected and given provision by God Himself.
We have the luxury of that same protection. So, when it seems the road is impossible, or when we think we can’t take another step, that is the time we need our Heavenly Father the most. Turn to Him in the day of trouble. Hold fast to His commands. Follow His lead. Don’t be afraid. Persevere, because He will never leave your side. His ultimate goal for us is heaven.
When the Lewis and Clark Expedition ended, when the promised land was in view, when we make it through the trials of this life, we have the hope of eternity with our loving, protecting, strong and mighty God. Give thanks for His endurance today.
Romans 12:12 ESV “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
atimetoshare.me 
Thank you, Mama K, as always, for teaching us with wisdom and truth. You may not know this, but Lewis and Clark and their history have played a huge role in my life. Not just as a history major and a daughter of a history teacher (or my little book about Missouri), but when I set out on my solo trip in 2018 to visit both of my sons in the Air Force (and didn’t know what was going on with my health), it was my goal to follow the trails of Lewis and Clark. When I taught, I thought I could do all thematic units and teach everything kids would need to know through the travels of Lewis and Clark (and the ecosystems of Missouri). With all that said, you reminded us of the Israelites and all the journeys and unknowns throughout our history. We can TRUST that God will see us through—if we choose!
I turn to him and follow him. So much is unknown. But I can trust HE has a plan and I want to keep an eternal perspective–just as you!
Thank you for all you do for HIS Kingdom and all of us. I love you dearly and pray for you and Paul daily.
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Thank you my dear child. What an adventure that must’ve been. I don’t know how they did it unless that God was guiding their journey. Imagine what was for the Israelites. Their trip took forty years and their shoes and clothes never wore out. What an amazing God!
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You’re welcome! Amen! What an amazing God! I love you sweet MAMA!
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I love you too💕💕
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Such an encouraging testament. I appreciate the parallels between the faith of the Corps of Discovery with the faith displayed in many stories found in the Bible. No matter our level of experience, may we continue to seek out and explore new horizons just as Lewis and Clark, Noah, Abraham, and so many others have done.
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So true. We must never ignore or try to erase our past. We shouldn’t dwell on those experiences but rejoice that we can learn from our mistakes. Thanks Richard 💕
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Kathy, these words echo what I heard from a speaker at our grandson’s academic awards program. He encouraged each distinguished scholar to pursue new horizons.
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