Today's Pillars

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. Exodus 13:21 Amplified Bible

When the children of Israel were delivered out of Egypt, God had a precious way of leading them into and through the wilderness. At any time, they could look up into the sky and see a pillar of cloud (by day) or a pillar of fire (by night). The reason for that was three-fold. It assured them of God’s presence, it lead them along the way, and it allowed them to travel at any time. When it moved they moved and when it stood still they set up camp. There was no question as to when they were to move and which way they were to go. The view of this “sky compass” was always in site. I would have loved the experience of lying on the ground on a starry night and taking in the sight of the pillar of fire! Oh, to be one who lived with a view of God’s presence and God’s guidance.

We may not have a visible sign in the sky, like the children of Israel had, but we have God’s presence and guidance in every sense of the word. Allow Jesus’ words of “I am with you always” to sink in today. Review the “pillars” of guidance available to us today. The Bible, the Spirit, and fellow believers. God went with the children of Israel and He goes with us today. He does not just point the way, He accompanies us! For that reason, a Christian can never be totally alone.

God is reminding me this morning that the Christian life is truly a journey in every sense of the word. It is an excursion that is under His constant watch care. May I live so connected to God that I continually sense His presence and confidently experience His guidance. Every stop and every move forward is most assuredly at His design. He called me out of the world, wooed me to Himself, set my feet on a path, and has had His eye and hand on me every step of the way. As my Shepherd He leads, as my Potter He molds, as my Counselor He advises, as my Physician He heals, and as my Father He protects. As personally involved as God was with the nation of Israel, He is the same with me. May that truth make a profound impact on the way I head into today.

Father, Your presence and guidance are not just nice thoughts, they are real and meant to be experienced by me. May I continually be aware of and thrive under both! Amen.