He took not away His pillar

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. – Exodus 13.21-22

When God led Israel out of Egypt He knew what would need some type of physical manifestation of His presence. He wanted them to be sure of His leadership and His guidance so He gave them a pillar of cloud to lead them by day and a pillar of fire to lead them by night.

God’s leadership was real and visible and it gave great comfort. They knew God was there and that He was with them. They were not headed out on their own.

And the greatest comfort is that God did not take away the pillar. The sign was a reminder that God was leading their great exodus from Egypt.

God never leaves His people alone. He never leaves them leaderless. He was with them – as He is with.

This passage reminds me of the verse Jesus says ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’ or the passage where He says ‘lo, I am with you always.’

So today we often face the unknown. We don’t know the future. We have no idea what it going to happen tomorrow. Even if we think we have it all sorted out no one knows what a day may bring forth.

But just like God with Israel He is not going to withdraw the pillar of His presence from. We is here and He will always be here no matter what comes our way. Thank God for that great comfort. The future can be a scary thought – but the pillar of God’s strength will lead us through.