- araratchurch
- Aug 13, 2022
- 3 min read
40
“Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.”
Exodus 24:16-17 NKJV
There is a true story about a lone survivor of a shipwreck, who, ending up on a small deserted island, was saved in a most ironic way.
This man, having been stranded, called on the Lord for His help. Surely enough, over the long period of time he was on the island, things continued to wash ashore from the wreckage of the boat. One of these treasures was a can of motor oil from which he was able to make a lantern. He would take the makeshift lantern every day up to a high place on the island, trying to signal passing ships. But, after a while, he gave that up and no longer took the lantern with him when he went to gather food.
Now, he had managed to gather enough driftwood and other materials to hobble together a hut for himself. One day—returning back to his hut—he saw that it was going up in a blaze ignited by the unattended lantern. Beleaguered, he watched in disbelief as thick smoke billowed from his last hope for continued survival. He cried out to the Lord and fell asleep in his sorrow.
After awhile this castaway was awakened by someone shaking him. This person was a sailor from a large ship the man could see anchored offshore. He asked the sailor how he knew to find him. The sailor informed him that he had seen his “smoke signal.” Well, you can imagine that the “smoke signal” was the man’s burning hut!
This story can be used for many good object lessons; but for our purposes today we will focus on the power of fire.
Man’s harnessing of fire led to so many wonderful things we now take for granted.
With fire you can cook; you can warm yourself; you can fend off enemies, and a myriad of other things.
We all know of the power of fires to destroy. For example, even as we speak, great wildfires are burning across the United States. Fire is essential; but fire is also scary.
Fire is an important symbol used in the Bible. For example, we hear that we are tried by fire.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”
I Peter 1:6-7 NKJV
Our works are judged by fire.
“each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
I Corinthians 3:13-15 NKJV
The Holy Spirit is likened to fire.
“John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.””
Luke 3:16 NKJV
But we also see that scriptural references to fire are often literal. For example, Elijah called down fire from Heaven to destroy his enemies.
“So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.”
II Kings 1:10 NKJV
Additionally, the Lord was often seen in fire. And that brings us to our opening scripture.
Today we find the children of Israel experiencing the awesome fiery presence of the Lord. Most of the people were terrified; but Moses ascended into the fire.
“So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.”
Exodus 24:18
We must understand that God doesn’t just appear in fire; He is a fire!
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29 NKJV
The fire of His presence will eventually destroy all of His enemies. But to those of us who are with Him, His fire is a purifier and a protector. Therefore, rather than fearfully shrinking from the fire of God, let us rather pursue it.
For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:
Stay near the fire.
- araratchurch
- Aug 12, 2022
- 3 min read
“And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.”
Exodus 23:31-32 NKJV
If you’ve ever heard someone referenced as a “Benedict Arnold,” you should know that that is not a compliment. Indeed, Benedict Arnold is one of the most infamous traitors in the history of the United States.
On September 21, 1780, toward the end of the Revolutionary War, Major General Benedict Arnold would have a clandestine meeting with Major Andre of the British army that would bring disaster for both of them.
As commander at West Point, Arnold was arranging for the easy takeover of that facility from which the British army hoped to launch a decisive victory over the United States’ march toward independence. However, a number of unexpected events resulted in discovery of the plot. Major André would be executed a month later at George Washington’s command and Benedict Arnold, having fled to England, would live out his days under the shadow of what he had tried to do.
Interestingly, Benjamin Franklin compared Arnold to Judas. The similarities certainly are there: Judas was part of the Lord’s inner circle and had been trusted with authority. He sold out the Lord for 30 pieces of silver. Benedict Arnold was a trusted member of George Washington’s inner circle of commanders, and he would attempt to sell out—not only George Washington—but the whole United States for what he thought would be 20,000 pounds and a British military command. In both cases, we see men who have been closely aligned with the one whom they sought to betray. Certainly, both were experiencing pressure. But their lack of resolve concerning their allegiance would lead them to become turncoats.
Today we find the children of Israel being warned by the Lord to not make covenant with the enemy nations they would be conquering. Moses sealed their covenant with the Lord by sprinkling the people with the blood of the sacrifice.
“And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.””
Exodus 24:8 NKJV
It’s interesting to note—and certainly no accident—that our Lord used very similar words in His comments at the Last Supper.
“Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.””
Luke 22:20 NKJV
We are in a covenant with the Lord; our allegiance is with Him. But make no mistake, the enemy of your soul will try to use the pressure you may be experiencing to cause you to change your allegiance.
On our first day in this journey together we referenced the fact that the Lord also faced testing. One part of that testing was an attempt to get Him to change His allegiance.
“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Matthew 4:8-10 NKJV
Don’t fall prey to the enemy’s attempt to “flip” you by exploiting your weaknesses.
For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:
Don’t allow hardship to pervert your loyalty.
- araratchurch
- Aug 11, 2022
- 2 min read
“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” Exodus 23:20-22 NKJV
In 1914, Ernest Shackleton set sail with 27 other men, bound for the South Pole where they hoped to be the first expedition to walk across the whole continent of Antartica. However, the expedition’s original goal quickly turned into the goal of surviving one harrowing challenge after another.
Having set sail from London in August 1914, their ship became stuck in an ice flow (January 1915) before they could reach Antarctica. They lived stuck on the ship (the Endurance) until the ship succumbed to the pressure of the ice and sank (October 1915). They survived unbelievable adversity, finally all being saved in August of 1916, after Shackleton led a small group to find help. This account is very condensed and a full consideration of all that these men experienced is mind boggling. However, one thing is certain, anyone hearing the full story of this expedition will plainly see that the Lord helped Ernest Shackleton lead himself, and 27 other men, safely home against unimaginable odds.
Shackleton’s leadership and guidance, kept the men mentally encouraged and physically strong, making the difference between surviving and perishing.
Wanting to do things your own way can get you in serious trouble when you are in perilous conditions and woefully unprepared for the contingencies. But, as with the Shackleton Expedition, a seasoned guide can see you through…if you will listen.
Today we find the children of Israel being promised a wonderful Guide to continue on with them. This Guide (the Lord) would not only lead them, but would assure their safety, if they obeyed Him.
It’s true that many people never think to ask the guidance of the Lord. But, even for those who do, there may be resistance to obeying the Guide’s instruction.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 NKJV
Before being crucified, the Lord promised His disciples that—although He was going away—He would not leave them without a Guide.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:16-18 NKJV
Surviving the challenges of life requires that we pay close attention to our Guide. If we obey, the Holy Spirit of God will help us successfully negotiate every peril, to lead us safely home.
For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:
Your Guide is your only lifeline. #40daysinthewilderness