Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

             Behold, He is coming with the Cloud

                           Exodus 40:34-38

                             Abraham Mammen

                          Long Island MTC, NY

38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night,

Israel became the wonder of the ancient world because God dwelt in their midst. They were the people of God to have God dwelling in their midst. For the same reason no enemy in all the earth could stand before them. No nation was strong enough or rich enough to withstand the nation of Israel as long as they were obedient to God.

    It was God’s desire that Moses should build a tent and God dwelt in their midst. Then in the days of Solomon, it was in the temple, In the days of Jesus it was in His body that the glory of God dwelt.

Israelites were tent–dwellers until the time when they would settle in the promised land of Canaan. This travelling tabernacle would remind the people that the Lord would be with them. God was revealed to them in the cloud by day, and the fire by night. The tabernacle reveals the glory of God, It is a magnificent glory , revealing the attributes and works of our Creator and Redeemer. Moses built Him a tabernacle, Solomon built Him a house. “ However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says, “ Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Asks the Lord. Could you build me such a resting place? Didn’t my hands make both heaven and earth?.

The cloud covered the tent, revealing His strength and victory in the midst of His people, delivering them from both their sins and from their enemies. The cloud and the fire assured God’s people of His providential care as they travelled in the wilderness.

    We are to follow the cloud at all times. By following we will receive His leading and guidance. He will illuminate our path and shield us from our enemies. He is faithful to His promise and will never leave us nor forsake us.

    One final lesson is from 1 Corinthians 10: 1-6 “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.”

    We, His children have all those blessings – the glory cloud, the pillar of fire, the heaven sent food and drink, the presence of the Holy Spirit and still we fail God. Let us be constantly in prayer and fasting. 

PRAYER

Father God , Help us to follow You at all times and not to fall into human inspired promptings. Draw us closer to You, God, and help us, Lord, to hear Your voice and experience the presence of the Holy Spirit daily in our lives. Amen!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Unlike Israel of Old, let us not take the cloud of God for granted and lightly turn aside from God to evil things.

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more