"And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people."

                             -Exodus 13:21-22

When Pharaoh finally gave the Israelites his permission to leave Egypt, God guided them in the way they should go with a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire throughout the night. What I find interesting, though, is that God dedicated an entire verse of His Word to clarifying that this guidance was constant. There wasn't even a moment in which He quit leading them. Every minute of every day, and every watch of the night, He was there showing them the way.

Just like the Passover lamb was a type and shadow of Christ (see yesterday's post), the pillar and cloud are a symbol of the guidance God gives to His church today. James 1:5 tell us, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." If we are in need of direction, the Lord will give it to us. In the same way that the pillar and cloud never went away, He will never turn a deaf ear to the prayers of His children when they are seeking His counsel. Whether He chooses to show us His answer through Scripture, or even a burning bush, isn't what matters; the important thing is that we will always get an answer.

It is imperative, however, that we read the Bible regularly and hide Its words in our heart (Psalm 119:11). Many times we spend long hours in prayer over something, not realizing that the answer has already been given to us in God's Word! But, if after much Bible study, we still are unable to find the answer we need, we can rest assured that our Heavenly Father will supply us with that answer in His time.

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."

                            -James 1:6-7