Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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             Behold, He is coming with the Cloud

                           Exodus 40:34-38

                             Abraham Mammen

                          Long Island MTC, NY

38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night,

Israel became the wonder of the ancient world because God dwelt in their midst. They were the people of God to have God dwelling in their midst. For the same reason no enemy in all the earth could stand before them. No nation was strong enough or rich enough to withstand the nation of Israel as long as they were obedient to God.

    It was God’s desire that Moses should build a tent and God dwelt in their midst. Then in the days of Solomon, it was in the temple, In the days of Jesus it was in His body that the glory of God dwelt.

Israelites were tent–dwellers until the time when they would settle in the promised land of Canaan. This travelling tabernacle would remind the people that the Lord would be with them. God was revealed to them in the cloud by day, and the fire by night. The tabernacle reveals the glory of God, It is a magnificent glory , revealing the attributes and works of our Creator and Redeemer. Moses built Him a tabernacle, Solomon built Him a house. “ However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says, “ Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Asks the Lord. Could you build me such a resting place? Didn’t my hands make both heaven and earth?.

The cloud covered the tent, revealing His strength and victory in the midst of His people, delivering them from both their sins and from their enemies. The cloud and the fire assured God’s people of His providential care as they travelled in the wilderness.

    We are to follow the cloud at all times. By following we will receive His leading and guidance. He will illuminate our path and shield us from our enemies. He is faithful to His promise and will never leave us nor forsake us.

    One final lesson is from 1 Corinthians 10: 1-6 “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.”

    We, His children have all those blessings – the glory cloud, the pillar of fire, the heaven sent food and drink, the presence of the Holy Spirit and still we fail God. Let us be constantly in prayer and fasting. 

PRAYER

Father God , Help us to follow You at all times and not to fall into human inspired promptings. Draw us closer to You, God, and help us, Lord, to hear Your voice and experience the presence of the Holy Spirit daily in our lives. Amen!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Unlike Israel of Old, let us not take the cloud of God for granted and lightly turn aside from God to evil things.

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