Growing Together – Day 7: Peace
READ: Exodus 14:19-20
9 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.
This text is just one piece of the larger story of God leading his people out of slavery in Egypt. If it’s not a familiar story to you, I’d encourage you to read the broader story from Chapter 1 through Chapter 15. It gives great imagery for the reality of God’s presence surrounding and protecting His people, and that reality gives us peace.
Isaiah says of God’s faithful people: “…your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard” (Isaiah 58:8). Our righteousness, which we know is Jesus’ righteousness given to us by faith, goes in front of us. It’s like the flag at the front of a column of soldiers. God’s glory, then, hems us in, brings up the rear – like the heavy artillery.
God has adopted us through Christ, redeemed us from our former master, declared us righteous, and now we are His. He has pinned His glory on us. Whatever happens to us - now reflects on Him, on His goodness, on His power, and on His wisdom. Since we know that the glory of the strongest, wisest Being in the universe is invulnerable - we should know that we are safe.
But, we all still wrestle. So, here’s a prayer from a Christian long ago who also wrestled to believe God’s goodness and needed to remind himself daily. This was the ‘armor’ he put on each morning.
PRAY: (from St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer - 430A.D.):
I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen.