Hey Church!
Earlier this week in Personal Worship, we read Exodus 13, about when God led the people of Israel away from Egypt by a pillar of fire and cloud.
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.” (Ex. 13:21)
We can infer from other scriptures that these were not two separate manifestations, as though there was one thing by day and another by night, but rather something like one miraculous column of fire enveloped by smoke (Ex. 14:19, 24; 40:38; Num. 9:15-21).
When we consider the topography of the wilderness through which Israel journeyed, it is not difficult to see why light in darkness, or a cloud during the day, would be most welcome companions.
Although we do not follow a visible pillar today, God continues to lead us, His covenant people, through a spiritual wilderness, from the land of death to a land of everlasting life, by way of His Word and Spirit. Additionally, He provides spiritual shepherds like Moses, who are first-followers of the cloud. By these means, God guides, encourages, and corrects us on our way.
Like the cloud and fire, God’s presence also defends and covers us. When the Egyptian armies were close to overtaking the Israelites at the Red Sea, the fire-cloud moved from before them to stand behind them. God is our front and rear guard!
“You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5)
Further, He is our light in darkness. Imagine walking through that wilderness at night (look again at the picture above)! The Proverbs say that “the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” In contrast, the way of the righteous is like the light of dawn that grows brighter and brighter unto the fulness of day. (Prov. 4:18-19) We need His Word and Spirit to be our light!
And, lastly, what amazes me most about God’s fire-cloud is that He provides a shade of covering from this world’s blistering heat. Take a moment to think: when you hear “God is your covering,” what comes to mind? In what ways does God “cover” over you like a cloud?
Some of the words that came to my mind were: protection, shade, comfort, shielding (from God’s wrath), forgiveness, His glory (made known in my weakness)… even the modern phrase, “I’ve got you covered” speaks volumes. In other words, He says, “I’m taking care of it,” or “I got it covered.” Your past failures and wounds? “Covered.” Your future unknowns? “Covered.” That thing you are most anxious about today? From the cloud, He answers, “I’ve got this.”
If God goes before and behind us to lead, to light the way, to protect us from our enemies, and to cover us with His providence, then what have we to fear?
Take heart, Christian! He has not led us to this wilderness to die (Ex. 14:11-14). Although the path He leads is not like the one we would have chosen for ourselves, let us refrain from grumbling and, instead, give thanks for the great works He has–and will yet do–on our behalf.
Let this serve as our benediction:
“And they who make the glory of God their end, and the word of God their rule, the Spirit of God the guide of their affections, and the providence of God the guide of their affairs, may be confident that the Lord goes before them, as truly as he went before Israel in the wilderness…” (Benson Commentary)
Your brother,
Ryan