We are wrapping up the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) of God. The people did all Moses told them to do and he blesses them in the end for it. Now Moses turns around and puts together the Mishkan the way God wants it done.
As a result of all of this obedience the glory of YHWH fills the Mishkan. To remind the people that God was present He covered the Mishkan with a cloud by day and a fire by night. This showed the people that although He was invisible He was still there.
He never left them alone. He led them through the hot, dry desert by a cloud! A cloud gives you protection from the hot sun, moisture in the air to keep cool, and water if needed. There were no fainting spells on this journey, not on God’s watch.
He set watch over them with fire at night, allowing them to sleep in peace and stay warm while doing so. No human or animal could sneak up on them without being seen.
God is still the same today. The scripture says we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. There are more for us than against us.
Think about it. Weren’t there times when you knew something should have gone another way, which wouldn’t have been good for you or your loved? Yet…God stepped in and helped you out.
I don’t know about you, but there are plenty of times when I have to stop and say, “Thank You Father because I didn’t see that coming. Thank You for getting me out of that mess before it became a mess.”