the Fourth Week after Easter
Click to donate today!
Daily Devotionals
Our Daily Homily - Volume 2
Isaiah 4:5—Over all the glory a canopy. (R.V.)
These twain, the pillar of cloud by day, and the flaming fire by night, were reserved in the wanderings for the tabernacle only; but this promise predicts that they shall be the heritage of each individual home. "The Lord will create over every dwellingplace of Mount Zion, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night" (R.V., marg.). Each family may have its own cloudy pillar to guide, its own illumination through the dark hours, its own canopy from storm and rain and heat. Let this be your comfort: though your family is scattered afar, all the members may dwell in the same pavilion, be directed by the movements of the same pillar-cloud, and enlightened by the glow of the same fire. In God there is no distance; and they who abide in Him live in a dwelling-place which is wide enough to include the world, but narrow enough to draw our hearts into so small a circle that God and we and our loved ones may touch.
There is even more than this suggested in these words. Each holy soul may have all the gracious contents of this promise, because it has become the temple of the indwelling Lord, through the Holy Spirit. For thee there may be the pillar-cloud, arising to guide thy steps through the wilderness world, or settling down with its fleecy folds to rest. For thee, through long dark nights, the pillar of fire—and, indeed, only the darkness can reveal the bright light in the cloud. For thee also the canopy—for it is written, "He shall spread his tabernacle over them" (Revelation 21:3, Gk.). How God suits Himself to our varying need—now a cloud, again as fire; in the storm a covert, from the heat a shadow. He is always adapting his help to our need.
