Sunday, July 10, 2011 - Exodus 13:21-22

[Tek7]

The LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.

Exodus 13:21-22

With temperatures edging over 100 in the Midwest, I thought it was appropriate to post a verse about a pillar of fire today.

Weather jokes aside, this passage highlights a truth found consistently throughout Scripture: God will direct His people. Today, we hear from Him most often by reading the Bible, but He occasionally guides us through a still, small voice and, far more rarely, more direct methods.

Regardless of what method God uses to guide us, He has not abandoned and will never abandon His people. Though we may complain, though we may forget his goodness in the face of trial or, more commonly, in times of comfort, He is faithful to make a way for us.

Now whether we choose to follow that way or not is another matter.

 

[ursen]

The guidance sometimes comes in surprising ways. Last Sunday on the spur of the moment we decided to take a friend of outs who speaks no English out to eat after church. After a little back and forthing it became clear McDonald's was the place to go. While sitting there working on our translation problems someone began to speak Spanish behind us. It turned out to be the Spanish teacher at Grace Christian school, and she has now volunteered to help with our church's beginning ministries in teaching English and Spanish. Praise God He leads even when we aren't specifically looking for the guidance.

 

[Abba San]

Ain't God grand. God really is always with us. Thanks to both of you.

 

[RiverTigress]

One of the best things in this passage I think is that He leads us day by day in the way we should go, not just points at a distant spot on the horizon saying to get there by our own devices and then He'll meet us when we get there. Those times when we lose track of His guidance and need to re-find Him again, we need to remember that He'll always be waiting somewhere accessible and nearby for us, not somewhere far off behind lots of obstacles.