Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Nehemiah 9:19

Once again, we have another story of God’s gracious dealings, with His rebellious people, the Israelites. This thread of the story is amplified in the hymn, Let All Things Now Living.

Nehemiah 9:19 (NRSV) states,

… you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud that lead them in the way did not leave them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night that gave them light on the way by which they should go.

The hymn has these lyrics:

God’s banners are o’er us; pure light goes before us, a pillar of fire shining forth in the night; till shadows are vanished, all fearfulness banished, as forward we travel from light unto light.

While we do not actually have a pillar of cloud to direct us by day and a pillar of fire to guide us at night, God has given us His Word to lead us to the light … and the light of never ending day.

Prayer

Dear God, we thank You for loving and caring for us, who also are Your rebellious children. Thank You for not forsaking us and for giving us Your Word, which is “a lamp to our feet and a light to our way.” In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.