Literature Ministries International


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August 17, 2020

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A CLOUD BY DAY...A PILLAR OF FIRE BY NIGHT

"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." Exodus 13:21-22

What an incredible provision by God for Israel as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, a provision of His grace that lead them on their journey. He gave them a visible symbol of His presence "with" them, the promise of His power "to" them, and the assurance of His provision "for" them. To any Israelite who might be in doubt...he had only to look up and see the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night. This was God's covenant to Israel...they had nothing to fear if they walked in OBEDIENCE. God would be their sufficiency for every need!

God provided manna from heaven every morning and water from the rock at Meribar. When hemmed in at the Red Sea, being pursued by Pharaoh's army, God miraculously "parted the waters" and they went through on dry land. When the army followed, God unleashed the waters, and the pursuing enemy all drowned (Exodus 14:21-28).

What does all of that say unto us today? God has not left us without His hand to lead, protect, provide, and be the sufficiency for our every need. He has a plan and purpose for every believer. But, His plan can only be accomplished as we walk in obedience to His Word, and trust Him as the Lord of our life. We must appropriate what Christ has provided for us.

As believers, the Holy Spirit dwells within to minister to us. He draws us to God...teaches, reveals, and gives us an understanding of God's Word. God has given to us "exceeding great and precious promises: that by these we may be partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). Whatever circumstances we encounter, we have His Word as our foundation, access into His presence by prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to direct our steps.

And what is His promise to us? "Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33;3). "Call to me" reveals our need to seek HIS help, realizing the inadequacy of our own abilities, resources, and our need of utter dependence on God. How much heartache, misfortune, and misery we would save ourselves, if we would first SEEK THE LORD! So often, our pride, ego, and self-independence keep us from coming before God. "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

And what has God promised to do when we call on Him? "I WILL ANSWER YOU!" Wow! Can you conceive of such an incredible privilege we have as His own? God will not only answer, but "tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know!" E. M. Bounds said it best, "When we depend on man, we get what man can do. When we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do." May we enter into the "secret of His presence" that we may be lead and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and say with Paul, "Thanks be unto God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ!" (2 Corinthians 2:14).

© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.


This page was reprinted by permission from: http://litmin.org/dare.php?date=2020-08-17


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