The Pillar of Fire
I’ve said quite a bit lately about our Helper, the Holy Spirit. He aids us in many ways, not the least of which is guidance. He led the Israelites in a very unique way in the Exodus from Egypt, through a literal “pillar of a cloud” by day, and a “pillar of fire” by night (Exodus 13:21-22):
“And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from the presence of the people.” (NASB)
Interestingly, in a passionate speech to Patriot leaders in America’s War of Independence, Founding Father Sam Adams referenced these two pillars. In September 1777, the war was not going well. The British were in control of New York, and Washington’s troops were suffering from deprivation and fatigue. “The number of delegates present at Congress had dwindled to a mere twenty from the fifty-six members who had signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Those remaining gathered for a private meeting in York to question whether there was any hope of success.”(1)
Firebrand Adams, known by Bostonians as the Father of the American Revolution, rose to speak–actually “preach” would be a better description of his exhortation–comparing the American revolutionaries to the Israelites who had left the slavery of Egypt. He first referenced appealing to heaven, along with God’s providence and faithfulness - leaving no doubt where his faith lay - then mentioned these two pillars:
“Let us awaken then, and evince a different spirit, a spirit that shall inspire the people with confidence in themselves and in us, a spirit that will encourage them to persevere in this glorious struggle, until their rights and liberties shall be established on a rock. We have proclaimed to the world our determination ‘to die freemen, rather than to live slaves.’ We have appealed to heaven for the justice of our cause, and in heaven we have placed our trust. Numerous have been the manifestations of God’s providence in sustaining us. In the gloomy period of adversity, we have had ‘our cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.’ We have been reduced to distress, and the arm of Omnipotence has raised us up. Let us still rely in humble confidence on Him who is mighty to save. Good tidings will soon arrive. Heaven shall never abandon us while we act worthy of its aid and protection.”(2)
Preach it, Adams!
I have always been fascinated by these pillars of cloud and fire in Israel’s Exodus, finding God’s choice to manifest His presence in this way intriguing. The cloud and fire
were no doubt manifestations of Holy Spirit. But did they picture something more? I believe they did. Psalm 29 speaks of the power of God’s voice releasing clouds and fire. Verses 3-6 speak of His voice releasing storms - clouds, thunder, lightning, etc., and verse 7 tells us it releases fire. According to TPT, this psalm was read on the first day of the Feast of Pentecost, which pointed ahead to Holy Spirit being poured out on the church in Acts 2. They state in their footnote that “The Christian church was born on Pentecost two thousand years ago when the mighty ‘storm’ of the Spirit came into the upper room.”
Acts 2 tells us: “Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear! Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them.” (Acts 2:2-3 TPT)
In a footnote regarding these verses, the Passion translators state: “This was the pillar of fire that led Israel from bondage into the promised land. The same pillar of fire manifested here to initiate a new beginning from dead religious structures into the powerful life of the Spirit. Each believer received an overpowering flame of fire, signified by the shaft of light that engulfed them. It was as though each one received his own personal pillar of fire that would empower him and lead him throughout his life. This was the promise Jesus gave to His disciples of ‘the one like me’ (John 14:26), who would be sent by the Father and never leave them. Today every believer is indwelt by the Spirit of Christ.”
If that doesn’t make you wanna shout some hallelujahs, I don’t know what would. Israel’s supernatural “guidance pillars” now indwell us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Patriot Adams knew Holy Spirit was assisting America in her quest for freedom, and He is helping us today regain our true freedom and purpose.
Keep praying, church; we have Scripture - and history - on our side. “Heaven shall never abandon us.”
Pray with me:
Father, sin and rebellion often lead to depravity and insanity. Some of America’s leaders want to ban Your influence in our government. We also have depraved leaders who don’t know the difference between men and women, want to see babies killed, children mutilated, Your Word mocked, Your marriage covenant defiled, and common sense outlawed. Many “became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21-22). Our nation has sown the wind and is reaping the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). And yet, You are rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), and love to redeem.
We approach You now based on the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus. In the greatest story ever told, our Creator has become our Redeemer. We ask that His blood continue to cleanse our nation from sin, its resulting depravity, and the curse of insanity. Cleanse our hearts and heal our minds. Restore us to You, and thereby to truth and life.
And as Founding Father Samuel Adams referenced, we ask You for the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). We need Holy Spirit’s guidance in our personal lives, and our nation needs them. Bring His glory and fire to our government, releasing these guiding forces into the White House, the halls of Congress, and the Supreme Court. Flow down from these “heads” of our government to every facet of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
“We have appealed to heaven for the justice of our cause, and in heaven we have placed our trust.”(3) We will not doubt, and we will not stop doing so until our nation is ablaze with revival and being reformed by truth. And in Jesus’ name we seal this. Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that the appeals to heaven will not stop, and they will not fail.