Tobit 5:6-10: a reflection

6The angel said to him, “I will go with you. I know the way well. I have lodged with our brother Gabael.” 7Tobias said to him, “Wait for me, and I will tell my father.” 8He said to him, “Go, and don’t wait. And he went in and said to his father, “Behold, I have found someone who will go with me.” But he said, “Call him to me, that I may know of what tribe he is, and whether he be a trustworthy man to go with you.” 9So he called him, and he came in, and they saluted one another. 10And Tobit said to him, “Brother, of what tribe and of what family are you? Tell me.”

As young Tobias prepares for a long and dangerous journey, a companion appears who offers to go with him, saying, I will go with you. I know the way well. Unknown to Tobias and his father, this companion is an angel, sent by God to guide and protect the young man on his way. God had provided a guide for the journey, one who knew the way, though they did not recognize who he truly was. The help and guidance Tobias needed for the road ahead was provided by God, in a form they did not at the time perceive.

Notice how God provided a guide for the journey, though unrecognized. Tobias faced a long, unfamiliar, dangerous road; and God provided a companion who knew the way, to guide and protect him. But neither Tobias nor his father recognized who this companion truly was; the guidance God provided came in a form they did not perceive at the time. God had gone ahead and provided what Tobias needed for the journey, a guide who knew the way, even though they could not see the hand of God in it. The help was real, and it was God's provision, though it came unrecognized, in the guise of an ordinary companion.

That is worth taking to heart, for God provides guidance and help for our journey, often unrecognized at the time. As we go through life, facing unfamiliar and difficult roads, God provides guidance and help, sometimes in forms we do not recognize as his provision, an unexpected companion, a timely help, a guide who knows the way, as he provided for Tobias. We may not perceive the hand of God in it at the time, but he goes ahead and provides what we need. Do not think you must face your journey without guidance; God provides help for the way, often in forms you may not recognize as his provision until later. Trust that God provides guidance and help for your journey, often unrecognized at the time, as he sent an angel to guide Tobias in the guise of an ordinary companion; for God goes ahead and provides what we need for the road, and much of his guidance comes in forms we do not perceive as his until we look back and see his hand.

Lord, as young Tobias prepares for a long and dangerous journey, a companion appears who offers to go with him, saying, I will go with you; I know the way well. Unknown to Tobias and his father, this companion is an angel, sent by you to guide and protect the young man on his way. You had provided a guide for the journey, one who knew the way, though they did not recognize who he truly was. The help and guidance Tobias needed was provided by you, in a form they did not at the time perceive. Show me how you provided a guide for the journey, though unrecognized. Tobias faced a long, unfamiliar, dangerous road; and you provided a companion who knew the way. But neither Tobias nor his father recognized who this companion truly was; the guidance you provided came in a form they did not perceive at the time. You had gone ahead and provided what Tobias needed, even though they could not see your hand in it. The help was real, and it was your provision, though it came unrecognized. Take that to my heart, for you provide guidance and help for my journey, often unrecognized at the time. As I go through life, facing unfamiliar and difficult roads, you provide guidance and help, sometimes in forms I do not recognize as your provision, an unexpected companion, a timely help, as you provided for Tobias. Keep me from thinking I must face my journey without guidance; you provide help for the way, Lord, often in forms I may not recognize as yours until later. Help me trust that you provide guidance and help for my journey, often unrecognized at the time, and go ahead of me to provide what I need for the road.