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Cloud And Fire, July 9
He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
Psalm 105:39
.
[177]
“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the
way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light.” ... The standard of their
invisible Leader was ever with them. By day the cloud directed their journeyings
or spread as a canopy above the host. It served as a protection from the burning
heat, and by its coolness and moisture afforded grateful refreshment in the parched,
thirsty desert. By night it became a pillar of fire, illuminating their encampment
and constantly assuring them of the divine presence.
In one of the most beautiful and comforting passages of Isaiah’s prophecy,
reference is made to the pillar of cloud and of fire to represent God’s care for His
people in the great final struggle with the powers of evil: “The Lord will create
upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and
smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for above all the glory
shall be a covering. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime
from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from
rain” (
Isaiah 4:5, 6
, margin).
In the time of trial before us God’s pledge of security will be placed upon
those who have kept the word of His patience. Christ will say to His faithful
ones: “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about
thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment until the indignation be overpast”
(
Isaiah 26:20
). The Lion of Judah, so terrible to the rejectors of His grace, will
be the Lamb of God to the obedient and faithful. The pillar of cloud which
speaks wrath and terror to the transgressor of God’s law is light and mercy and
deliverance to those who have kept His commandments. The arm strong to smite
the rebellious will be strong to deliver the loyal. Every faithful one will surely be
gathered. “He shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall
gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other”
(
Matthew 24:31
).
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