God Moves in the Dark Times

The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people. Exodus 13:21-22
So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. Exodus 14:27

The children of Israel had just left Egypt. They were leaving behind the only life they had ever known - a life of oppression and slavery. They were embarking on a new life - life as a free people in a land God had prepared for them. What an exciting time this must have been for them!

Exciting... but frightening as well. Change is a hard thing. Sometimes it seems easier to just stick with what you know. It may be unpleasant, but at least it's familiar.

So now the children of Israel are out of Egypt and they are on their way to the "Promised Land". They didn't have a fancy GPS system, but they didn't need one. They had God. And God had promised to go ahead of them and to guide them. He went ahead of them in two very visible forms - the pillar of cloud for the day and the pillar of fire for the night.

Did you ever really think about that? I've read it many times, but never really caught it: This allowed them to travel by day or by night. God provided the pillar of fire so they could travel at night!

I sometimes like to travel at night. I kind of like to see city lights at night. At Christmas time, I love to see all the festive light displays. But most of the time, I much prefer to travel during the day. It's easier to stay awake. It's easier to see where you are going... I've been on dark roads in the middle of nowhere at night, and that is just no fun! It's hard to tell where you are, and you find yourself wondering if you've made a wrong turn, or if you'd even know it if you did make a wrong turn.

So the children of Israel had been traveling, and they stopped and set up camp in a nice, scenic location. They're hanging out at the beach, enjoying a break from the road, taking in a nice sunset... and then they see Pharaoh's army coming! They panic, and suddenly that nice beachfront property just looks like a trap - until God intervenes. The pillar of cloud settles down in between the Israelites and the Egyptians, and as darkness falls, the cloud turns to fire. Feeling safe for the moment, the children of Israel now get to witness a truly amazing miracle - God parts the Red Sea for them. The wind blows, and ground dries out on the seabed, and the people walk right through - during the night. We know that it was night because it's just before dawn that the Lord throws the Egyptians (who are now pursuing the Israelites through the sea) into confusion. And the Bible tells us that just as the sun began to rise, the waters closed back in, killing the entire army of Pharaoh.

This all happened in the night. This miraculous deliverance took place in darkness. But God had made a way for the people to follow Him, even in the dark times.

We may not have a pillar of fire to follow through the dark times of life, but God has not abandoned us to our enemies. He has provided us with all we need to make it through the night.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Maybe you are in one of those dark times in your life. I want to encourage you today that God has given you His light that stands between you and the enemy. His Word will give you the direction you are seeking. Set your eyes on His Word, and then step out in faith. He will show you which way to go.

You don't have to cower down in the darkness. Just look up - He's lighting the way!

...Just a thought...