By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Exodus 13:21—22

 

One of the hardest things to cope with is to be uncertain about where life is taking you—when our lives are in limbo—neither here nor there. We long for a more normal existence, security, stability.

This is where the Israelites found themselves after leaving Egypt and wandering in the wilderness for forty years as they searched for the land God had promised them. They knew where they came from, but were losing hope, rebelling against God.

Can you imagine how they must have felt living like this day after day for so many years? Maybe you can. In dealing with this pandemic, our feelings must be similar in many ways.

I think I speak for many of us when I say we’re bored because our lives have become so limiting. No gatherings with friends as we’d like. Only virtual church services. So much taken away. And always we need to take precautions.

We need to obey rules in the way God told the Israelites to obey his rules. God told them not to store up the manna he provided daily. He wanted them to learn to trust that he would provide it daily, to trust that he would not leave them. So it is for us. We must look to God daily to fill our needs. He always provides. He’s always with us.

We must trust because God is trustworthy.

With a pillar of cloud and fire God led the Israelites, reminding them of his presence. This presence of this pillar helped them learn to trust him during their ordeal. He wanted them—as he wants us today—to be assured that he would never leave them. God was shoring them up, helping them find their strength in him. He is doing the same for us.

We don’t have a pillar of cloud or fire to remind us of God’s presence, but he’s there for us in ways that were not available to the Israelites. Today we have the Bible and the Holy Spirit to guide us through this difficult time. What a treasure they are!

marja

NOTE; Our New Song, an online mental health support group led by Marja,  is welcoming new members. We have room for two or three more. Meetings are every Thursday 1:30 – 3 pm PST.  marja@marjabergen.com.