Guidance on the way to the Promised Land
God leads and guides. And how? The people of Israel had fire and clouds to guide them. There is also a guide today. And then there is the five-point checklist from a divine service with the Chief Apostle.
“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night” (Exodus 13: 21). This is the Bible text the Chief Apostle used for a divine service in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on 16 August 2024.
God’s presence back then
“In the Bible, cloud and fire are always related to the presence of God,” Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider explained. God revealed Himself to Moses in a burning bush. A pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire led the Israelites out of Egypt and protected the fugitives. And Mount Sinai was covered in smoke because the Lord descended on it with fire to address His people. The pillars rested over the tabernacle and signalled when camp was to be broken.
The symbol of the cloud and fire can also be found in the New Testament. During the transfiguration of Jesus, God revealed Himself in a cloud. At Christ’s ascension He was caught up in a cloud. And on Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples in tongues of fire.
God’s presence today
Since then God has been leading through the Holy Spirit, the Chief Apostle emphasised. “You cannot see the Holy Spirit, but you can hear Him, and you can experience His word, His activity, and His presence,” namely in the divine service.
In fact, God is with His people every day through the gift of the Holy Spirit. “God dwells in your heart and speaks to you.”
God’s leadership style today
“God shows us the way,” the Chief Apostle said. But “He does not push us. He does not pull us. He does not force us.” Because God has given human beings a free will. “He shows us: this is the way, but you are free to follow His way or not.”
Sometimes we might be tempted to ask God for a sign of what we should do. “But think about it. That means you want God to decide for you.” And that amounts to putting the blame on God. “God helps us through the Holy Spirit, but He will never decide for us.”
Guidelines for personal responsibility
“Remember Jesus Christ,” the Chief Apostle continued. “He did not ask for any signs. Each time He had a decision to make, He prayed and talked to God. And then Jesus decided by Himself what to do.”
We receive the guidance we need through the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Chief Apostle mentioned five specific points:
- renouncing evil
- keeping the law of God, which is summarised in the commandment to love God and our neighbour
- prioritising and seeking eternal life first
- following the Apostles and receiving Holy Communion
- becoming like Jesus Christ
“If your decision takes these five points into account, you can be sure that it is a good decision and that God will bless you.” This does not necessarily guarantee a change in your situation, nor does it protect against all difficulties. But “those who follow Christ, like the people of Israel followed the cloud, will enter the Promised Land. They will enter eternal fellowship with Jesus Christ in His kingdom.”