Dear Church Family,

I’ve been going through the book of Exodus in my devotions and came to Exodus 13 when Israel is about to cross the Red Sea. They’ve been delivered from captivity, but still await the final deliverance from Pharaoh’s hand as God destroys his army in the next chapter. Right before the crossing, the Lord begins to lead them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. No matter what time of day, they are reminded of His presence, protection, and leading.

Exodus 13:21-22 (ESV)
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

What a great physical reminder that God was always with them! I love the last part, which says that the pillars, “did not depart from before the people.” It is so powerful to know that God is with us and will not depart from us. God physically reminded the Israelites of this and I’m sure they often needed that reminder. God reminds us of the same thing when He says,

Hebrews 13:5b (ESV)
I will never leave you nor forsake you.

 and

Matthew 28:20b (ESV)
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

 No matter where you go or what you face, God is with you. There is nothing you face alone!
David Bronleewe