THE LAST WORD – EXODUS
by Mike Chaffin
36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. Exodus 40:36-38
Talk about the final word! God sure has it at the end of Exodus. In Genesis, God declared He was a deliverer. In Exodus he proves it. He has delivered the Israelites out of slavery to the Egyptians. They are now on their journey to the land that he had promised them. But God doesn’t just deliver you from slavery and leave; no, God leads, he doesn’t leave.
In the final word in Exodus God has sent his Holy Spirit, represented by a cloud during the day, and fire by night, to lead his children through the desert and into the promised land.
Today God does the same for his children. He leads. After Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected from the dead he ascended to Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God. A few days after his ascension, he sent the Holy Spirit to fill those who believed in Christ. When we accept Jesus as our savior we also receive the Holy Spirit.
Just like the Israelites in the desert who followed the Holy Spirit cloud, we are to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in all we do.
The Bible says, “I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. It takes the Holy Spirit living in us to make that possible. It takes us yielding our will to His, just like the Israelites did in the desert. Those that did not yield their spirit to His, never left the desert. Let that sink in.
Does your life feel like a desert sometimes? Maybe all the time? The answer is to let God lead. He knows the way a whole lot better than we do. If He has delivered you, let him lead.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit living in me. Lead and guide my steps so that I may not turn to the right or to the left but stay on the path that leads to godliness, righteousness, holiness, and purity. I can’t do this alone God. I need you to fill me today with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, amen.
