Exodus tells us that when God finally freed Israel from Egypt He became their pillar of protection. You know what it's like to stumble around in the dark, unless you're part cat like me and am able to get around fine without the lights on!! But let's say you're not like me...you flip on lights to go downstairs, to choose your clothes early in a winter morning. I don't have to go into detail about not being able to see.
That pillar of cloud and fire God speaks about is a type of Christ. When we follow Him not only is He our Light by night but He guides us--especially--when we are able to see for ourselves, when we don't physically have a need for a light to see. By the power of His Spirit He guides us in the daylight hours as well. The cloud and fire should be considered our protection through Jesus Christ.
His protection leads us on His path directed by Him. He is our pillar of cloud by day as protection from our enemy and He is our pillar of fire by night to give us light. (Exodus 14:19-20) Without Him we do not have this type of spiritual protection. We, as it were, stumble through life.
There is another scripture that shows us who the Light is: John 8:12 - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." And in John 12:46 Jesus says: I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. Revelation 22:5 tells us that a day will come when Jesus comes to reign on earth that and there will be no more night and no need of lamp or sun because the "Son" of God will be the Light of the world!
I'm amazed at all the references to light. Jesus is the Light of the world; we are to walk in the light as He is in the light. In Him is life, and the life is the light of men. Our eyes are the lamp to our souls and if our eyes are good, our whole bodies will be filled with light. That comes from a relationship with Jesus, not the good works we do apart from Him. We are to be light that we might illuminate others to the true light of Christ; we are to illuminate the Gospel message to those in the dark; we are to not hide our light but let it shine; light exposes our sin (and may be why some would not prefer to know the Light); we are called out of the world's darkness and into His marvelous light; Jesus is also called the bright and shining star or the morning star. He is the Light we are to seek.
We are asked to seek Jesus while He may still be found. He's as bright as the noonday sun. It's hard to not notice Him. There is such a brightness that comes out of life when we choose to follow Christ. Even in the midst of dark days, there's a Light that shines, if we choose to allow it, in our spirits and hearts. I just cannot imagine what this life ahead of us holds, but I'm thankful that my Light will never fade. Choose Light, not darkness.
Ephesians 5:14 - Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."
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