EXODUS (Part 5): LED BY THE SPIRIT

The Israelites were not in the wilderness for very long before they realized that God wanted to be everything to them. They needed to learn that in Him we humans live, and move, and have our very being. They needed to learn that they could trust in Him, and lean on Him for every need that life presented to them. God intended to lead them to a land that was flowing with milk and honey, but first He knew that they required some refining.

To accomplish the work that He intended, God promised that He would dwell among His people. His presence would be with them all through the time that they spent wandering in the wilderness. He told them, "I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God." (Exodus 29:45, 46).  From the time that Israel first left Egypt, God's presence appeared to them in the form of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. His presence was an assurance to Israel of God's protection, provision, guidance, and discipline. "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." (Exodus 13:21, 22).

Today, God's presence no longer hovers over some earthly temple in the form of a cloud, but, instead, His presence indwells those who have been born again through His Holy Spirit. The Spirit is, "the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession." (Ephesians 1:14).  He protects, provides for, guides, disciplines, and comforts His children today.

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24).  If we would desire to be victorious Christians, living lives that are pleasing and acceptable to our heavenly Father, then we must learn to walk in the Spirit and deny the works of the flesh. Scripture warns us not to be deceived into thinking that God will wink at our sins. Whatever we sow in our lives is just exactly what we will reap. If we veil our selfish, unholy acts under a "Christian" facade then, in the end, we will be the only ones who are fooled. "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Galatians 6:8).  The principle is as easy to understand as planting a garden. If I plant a bean, a bean will emerge. If I plant a thistle, a thistle will come up. I can get away with what I have done for a time, but down there under the dirt something is growing. Whatever I have put there will ultimately be revealed.

Romans 8:6 tells us that to be carnally (fleshly) minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. In the case of the Hebrews, as long as they remained with the cloud, they were protected and cared for. If they decided that things weren't happening fast enough for them, and struck out on their own in search of the Promised Land, they literally would have died. It was God Who was keeping them safe in this harsh environment. When they required water to quench their thirst, God would bring it forth from a rock. When they needed food, He would rain manna from the heavens. Their clothing and their shoes did not wear out the whole time that they wandered in the desert. Also, the Israelites didn't really know where this new land was or how to get there - they needed God's guidance to find it. In addition, it was God's presence that protected them from their enemies, and led them in their battles. So, in their case, to leave the camp was indeed death, but to abide was life and peace.

Things are really no different for us today than they were for Israel. As long as we are walking in the Spirit (abiding in His presence), we will know life and peace; but as soon as we stray from His leading and His presence, we experience spiritual death.

Among the many things that God has promised us by His Spirit are:

Protection. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." (Psalm 34:7).

Provision. "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:31-33).

Guidance. "At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents." (Numbers 9:15-18).  "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:13, 14).

Discipline. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." (Hebrews 12:6-8).

Comfort. "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:16-18).

It is the Spirit's job to lead us into righteousness, and transform us into a people ready to inhabit eternity. Christ is seeking a bride. She is described in Psalms as "all glorious within." She is not going to be like so many women today: concerned only with their outward beauty, but very ugly within. No, she will be illumined by that inner beauty that can only be wrought by the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts. That bride will be comprised of every man, woman, and child who has consecrated their life to God, and fallen in love with His Son, Jesus Christ. "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb." (Revelations 14:4).  Oh, to be in that number! Oh, to be undefiled before my Savior! Oh, to follow my Savior, the Lamb of God, wherever He leads me! This, my friends, is the call that He has placed on our lives.

"Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit." (1John 4:13).