Finding Jesus In HanakkuhSample

Day 2

Pillar of Fire (Guidance)

Scripture: Ex 13:21 The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

Teach: Whenever you are about to embark on a new journey, you prepare for the trip. You pack, you get your passport, you get your funds in order, and usually you have a plan set in place for your time away. There is always something exciting about the beginning of a new journey. However, what do you do when your best-laid plans are changed or are not sufficient? When this happens to me, I often try to find a way to navigate through my new reality and make the best of it. Unfortunately, I have not looked for guidance as often as I should have. Without looking at a map for directions or asking a local who knows the area well, I have often gotten lost.

In a time when the nation of Israel needed guidance, Mattathias Maccabeus stood up against the evil that had invaded their land. The nation and some of its priests were losing their way, and he knew something had to be done.

Many years previously, God told Moses that the time had come to get ready to move into the Promised Land and gave him these words, “I am the One who goes before you. I will be with you; I will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Deut 31:8). One of my favorite stories in the Torah is found in the book of Exodus, chapter 13, where it states, “The Lord went before the children of Israel as a pillar of fire by night and pillar of cloud by day.” The heart of God is so generous towards His children. There was no way the children of Israel could have navigated their way to the Promised Land without the miraculous guiding hand of the Lord. When they were lost and needed a guide, He turned on the largest candle the earth has ever seen. Once again, God showed that He is true to His word. He said that He would go before them, and when they needed Him to light the way and reveal the correct direction, He gave His children the guidance they needed.

Prayer: Lord, guide my steps. Be the heavenly road map for my life and lead into paths of righteousness for your names sake.