Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them.
Exodus 14:19 (ESV)
From the beginning, God made promises to be with His people and to protect them. In today's verse, the cloud represents God's presence in our lives. What is important to understand is that the cloud goes before His people as well as behind them.
God is telling us that He is there to protect us both from the future and the past. His protection is not only to make sure that we are safe after knowing Him and but also for what lies ahead in our lives.
God's protection is also to ensure that our past cannot catch up with us. What He saved us from should have no way of resurfacing. We are set free from our past. God is telling us that He is protecting us from the 'seen' and the 'unseen'.
Through His cloud of protection, God wants us to feel safe as we engage in the behaviours, attitudes, and service that He expects from us.
Lord, thank You for the promise of protection. Thank You that Your eyes are on us, keeping us safe in every circumstances. Amen.
Richard Genrault
