pillar of fire

I'm reading in Isaiah for my devotional/quiet times. It's already quite the experience, due to the higher amount of reading I've done in the New Testament lately (I'm taking a New Testament Survey class here @ LU). I love how different ideas, lessons, and imagery can strike you when you re-read a passage... many times it's something you've known and read multiple times, but didn't see a particular side of it until coming back to it later in life. Often times it's because we aren't dealing with that particular issues, or can't really relate at that time in our lives. I was reading Chapter 4 last night, and it just really stuck out to me how completely mind-blowing & amazing it must have been to have God so visibly active in the lives of His people.

"Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion 1 and over its convocations a cloud and smoke by day and a bright flame of fire by night; 2 indeed a canopy will accompany the Lord’s glorious presence." Isaiah 4:5

I can only imagine what it must have been like... to just look up and see a massive cloud canopy during the day, and a bright pillar of fire at night.... just knowing that God is right there looking over you in love & protection. So often in this day & age, people claim disbelief or uncertainty because they can't "see" God. True, we aren't living under the God of the Old Testament... where He appeared to His people in burning bushes, or flooded the entire world, or countless other direct interactions of love (or wrath).... but that doesn't mean we can't "see" God anymore. Something as simple as watching a tree sway in the wind... watching a tremendous storm in the distance... sitting in the sand watching the waves crash upon the shore... being discipled or mentored (or just a conversation with someone close to you) and hearing exactly what you needed to hear... listening to a song and being deeply moved by the lyrics & accompanying music.... God is evident in all of those things, even if it's not a massive pillar of fire... signaling his divine presence. It's so easy to overcomplicate life and overlook how truly evident and involved God is in your everyday life... but just take a step back and look around you. All the negativity & sources of stress and worry are just boundaries & blockades to overcome, so we can grow stronger in Him and gain a deeper love & respect for who He is and what He's done and will do in our lives.

Just a thought. I think I'll go climb a tree today, take a deep breathe, and just thank Him for not giving up on me.