Cloud by Day, Fire by Night
17Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. Exodus 13:17-18 (NKJV)
We can but stand in awe of the Lord when we see how the Lord led the Israelites. They were armed for battle yet God knew their hearts and that they might still change their minds and go back into bondage. He chose to lead them out instead, through the desert. We have heard that it was only an eleven day journey and that their time in the wilderness would have been shorter except for their disobedience. Yet we see here that the Lord knew they could change their minds and was preventing it happening.
Be glad you have a loving heavenly Father that knows your heart. He knows just how much you can handle and we are told that with the temptation He will make a way of escape that you are able to handle it. Even when you are in the desert, see that the Lord is with you and that He promises He will never forsake or leave you.
A pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night led the Israelites. Perhaps you are going through a desert experience in your life, needing direction and would love to have a cloud by day and fire by night to lead you. smile. Rest assured, you are not alone for He has left His Holy Spirit to lead you.
16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever 17The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. John 14:16-17 (AMP)
As the Lord led the Israelites by pillar of cloud and pillar of fire He will lead you, O you of little faith. The same fire of His spirit is with you today. A wilderness experience is never wasted when we love the Lord and it could even keep you from going back into bondage. There are invaluable lessons learned during this time. Instead allow the Lord to turn this time in your life into a rich time with Him knowing that it is for a little while and that your lessons learned in the wilderness can be stepping stones to future ministry.
