His Care through the Journey

Exodus 13:21 tells us of the nation of Israel as they go through unchartered territory. They have a guide, they have protection, and they have a purpose

 

 Exodus 13:21 And the LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

 God goes before us.​​ ​​ The Lord Jehovah, the Eternal God, secures the way we should go. ​​ To us, the path ahead may seem unclear, it may be filled with confusing turns and it may even seem there is no direction or purpose. ​​ However, God will point our way. ​​ He does not ask us to navigate unchartered territory. ​​ He knows exactly what​​ lies ahead, and we are assured of His care and protection just as the Israelite nation looked to Him for their way​​ to the Promised Land. ​​​​ Right​​ now, we are unable to gather in a building for corporate worship yet the church is not built of mortar and stone. ​​ The church is built of those who love God and trust in Him. ​​ The Lord was with the Israelite church in the​​ wilderness​​ and​​ He is with us in this unchartered territory. ​​ 

 God leads us. ​​​​ Consider clearing a path​​ to make it more suitable for​​ a walk. ​​ Trails that we might follow in nature have​​ been cleared by another before us. ​​ Many of the​​ largest​​ obstacles have been removed,​​ and looking​​ forward,​​ you can see the way to go. ​​ “Those whom God brings into a wilderness, He will not leave nor lose there, but will take care to lead them through it… ​​ Those who make the glory of God their end, and the word of God their rule, the Spirit of God the guide of their affections, and the providence of God the guide of their affairs, may be sure that the Lord goes before them though they cannot see it with their eyes: we must now live by faith”,​​ Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.

 God protects us. ​​​​ God went before the Israelites by day in a pillar of cloud. ​​ Think, what does a cloud do? ​​ It covers the bright sunlight of day. ​​ It gives us shade and shelter. ​​ God protected His people from the intense heat as they followed Him. ​​ Patrick/Lowth/Whitby/Lowman Commentary​​ says, “This cloud was a symbol of His gracious presence with them, and special providence over them”. ​​​​ 

 God was a pillar of fire by night to give them light. ​​ Think,​​ what does light do? ​​ It enables us to see. ​​ When we use the phrase,​​ someone is in the darkness, we are saying​​ there is no​​ understanding. ​​ 

  • Have you chosen light over darkness; hope over fear?

  • Where is your refuge? ​​ Where​​ do you seek cover?

 

 God is our strength. ​​​​ A pillar is​​ noticeable, usually a sign of strength​​ and support. ​​ Many of our daily activities have ceased. ​​ Most of us are no longer going here and there with schedules that are filled. ​​ Unless you are considered an essential worker, you are home, only running necessary errands. ​​ Exodus 13:21 tells us of the nation of Israel as they go through unchartered territory. ​​ They have a guide, they have protection, and they have a purpose – to travel by day and night. ​​ Even in the wilderness, they are to keep going, to continue to walk forward as they follow God. ​​ 

 

  • Are you growing in your dependence upon Him?

  • Are you taking this time to pursue God?

 

 Nehemiah 9:19​​ Thou, in Thy great compassion, didst not forsake them in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud did not leave them by day, to guide them on their way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go.

Author: Sharyn Balogh

You know it's difficult to write about yourself. The most important fact I can disclose is that I'm saved by God's grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My desire is to live a life honoring to God in response for the gift of salvation I've been given. This is so much easier said than done! I struggle daily with right choices, right words, right thoughts, and right actions. My best and only defense against sin is the power of God in me and for that I am inexpressibly thankful. I have three amazing grown-up children who have responded to God's call in their lives along with their spouses. One of the great joys of my life is knowing my children and their families strive to serve and follow God. My grandchildren are another wonderful joy in my life! My husband and I are blessed with four beautiful grandchildren to date with another expected very soon on September 12th. We also are thankful for the comforting knowledge that an additional three of our grandchildren, a set of twins at three months gestation and a little boy, Isaac, at four and a half months gestation, are in our Savior's presence. I have attended the same church since the day my eyes were opened to Truth over thirty years ago. How fortunate it is to have been led by God’s hand immediately to a church body that follows the Bible, no man-made doctrines, just the Word clear and strong. My husband is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and I still can't believe how blessed I am by his example of love and generosity towards everyone around him. He is God-fearing, compassionate, and kind and I have learned so much from him. I am a daughter to my almost 92 year-old mother, sister to three brothers, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, neighbor and friend. That means, whomever is reading this, we probably have something in common! I love every unique role I have been placed in. I'm frequently stretched and sometimes feel like silly putty that wants to bounce right back into my comfort zone. My greatest ambition is to be a follower of Jesus; a light that shines for Him at all times, in all circumstances. So, there it is, a bit about me. I guess I was able to write about myself after all! However, my existence cannot be defined without Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. His love has permeated my life to His glory and my eternal thankfulness.