”He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night.
Psalm 78:14New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 78:14 Devotional
He guided them
Quoting from Exodus 13:21, the Psalmist, in Psalm 78:14, testifies that God guided the Israelites through the wilderness by a cloud during the day and by fire at night. This is because, in Psalm 78:9-72, the Psalmist recounts the history of Israel as God moved them from Egypt to Jerusalem.
Therefore, the Psalmist’s retelling of Israel’s history emphasizes both the faithfulness of God and the forgetfulness of His people.
God is faithful
Consequently, in verses 12 to 16, the Psalmist focuses on God’s faithfulness to His people in the wilderness (Exodus 13:17-22; 17:4-7; and Numbers 20:6-11). For it is not God’s nature to begin a work, and then cease from it while it is incomplete (Philippians 1:6).
Whatever work God begins in the lives of His people, He always brings it to completion. And this is actually Paul’s testimony in Philippians chapter 1 verse 6.
Therefore, it is recorded that God led them with a cloud in the daytime. And God took them into the wilderness and led them through it.
Moreover, the cloud also shadowed His people and rendered the fierce heat of the sun and the glare of the desert sand bearable.
Similarly, God led them with a light of a fire at night. Therefore, the cloud which shaded them by day was the “sun” at night.
Life of Faith
Therefore, the life of faith is like journeying through a wilderness. In such a place, you will not know where or which direction to take or go unless you are guided (led) by someone or technology.
Additionally, the wilderness also presents a variety of conditions, thus, challenges, just as day and night present their own unique set of challenges. On the one hand, day, therefore, represents the good (day) times or seasons in the life of faith (journey in the wilderness). And on the other hand, night represents the bad times or seasons in the same life of faith.
Therefore, and in other words, in the journey of faith, despite living the promise while being led by the Promisor, there will be both highs and lows. But God’s constant care and presence will be your assurance (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Prayer
Father in heaven, my hope is in Your mercifulness and faithfulness and the fact that You will keep Your promise to save me. My immediate priority is to be faithful to remember and not forget Your works/deeds in my life.
Help me, God. And this is my prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Blessing
May you submit your life to Him so that He may guide you in your walk of faith. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Matthew 13-14 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
