Divine GPS

Saturday November 15, 2014

Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)  technology has changed the way we get from one place to another. All I need to do is type in an address and my GPS or Sat Nav device guides me to my destination.

As He brought the Israelites to the Promised Land, God deliberately made them take "a roundabout way through the wilderness" (Exodus 13:18). In a world without Sat Nav, how did he bring them through the desert? "[God] guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire" (v.21). But these pillars of cloud and fire were much more than guidance aided by a satellite.

The cloud and fire were the visible evidence of God´s presence (vv.21-22), a tangible testimony to the Jews - and to the world - that God was physically present with His people (Numbers 14:14).

These pillars were also assuring demonstration of God´s protection (Exodus 14:19-25) - an overt warning to the hostile nations that God Himself would fight for and deliver His people from harm and danger. God protected the helpless, fleeing Israelites from the mighty pursuing Egyptians (vv.19-20, 24). Although God´s people were exposed to extreme heat in the day and freezing temperatures at night, the cloud provided shade for them from the scorching sun and the fire gave them light and warmth at night.

The cloud and ifre were revelations of God´s plan - the unmistakable means by which God directed them when to move and where to go. With few or no landmarks, the people would have wandered aimlessly in the wilderness. But God provided clarity of direction and certainty of destination (Numbers 9:15-23; Nehemiah 9:12, 19-20).

The cloud and fire was their - and is our - Immanuel ("God with us"). - K.T.Sim

Read 
Exodus 13:17-22
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.

Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place."

After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Psalms 119-97-106
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders, 
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it, 
that I will follow your righteous laws.

Question to Ponder :
What "pillars of cloud and fire" will help you follow God and His plan?
How can "wilderness"times in life prepare us to serve God even better?

** Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 issue