Always with us

The Israelites left Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. During the day the LORD went in front of them in a pillar of cloud to show them the way, and during the night he went in front of them in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel night and day. The pillar of cloud was always in front of the people during the day, and the pillar of fire at night. (verses 20-22)

Read Exodus 13:17 – 14:4

How special it would have been. There was the excitement of finally being free, finally on the way to a promised land. The continued presence of God should have given them an enormous sense of security and should have built up a tremendous feeling of trust. For the God who had rescued them was always with them.

There was also an important link with the past. They took the body of Joseph with them, to bury him in the land God had promised them. They should have been able to face the future with confidence.

We, too, have God continually with us on our journey through life. We may not see him in a pillar of cloud or fire, but he is with us in a no less real manner. Jesus promised that he is always with us. Many times we are told that we live in God and he in us. We have his word to teach us, encourage us, lead us, support us.

May we, with the psalmist, always be able to say, ‘Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path’ (Psalm 119:100).

Lead me, heavenly Father, through all the trials and storms of life, till I reach you r promised home in heaven. Amen.

by Robert Turnbull, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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