The Word of God: Our Guiding Pillar (Part 2)
Yesterday, we read from the book of Exodus regarding the pillar that guided the Israelites in their journey to the Promised Land. The pillar, which represented God's presence, was in the form of a cloud by day and that of fire by night. The pillar was always present, but the people had to choose to follow it. In like manner, we noted that the word of God is our guiding pillar of cloud today. The Scriptures are always with us, but we must willingly determine to follow them, as opposed to attempting to guide ourselves through life.

Additionally, the Bible is also our pillar of fire in that it illuminates the way for us, even when we seem to be surrounded by darkness. When we do not have any idea which way to turn, God's word is there to light the way and guide us in the way we should go. "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path" (Psa. 119:105). Do we believe that? Or, do we prefer trying to fix things on our own? Would we rather trust God's word as our light or stumble around in the darkness, believing we can get things back on track without the Lord's help? We all need to live walking by faith and not by sight (II Cor. 5:7). God's word, when it is heard and received, develops faith (Rom. 10:17). We need to walk by God's word and let it be our guide. We must trust it 100%, even when we do not understand all the reasons "why," and even when it seems to be taking us in a direction we may not want to go.

The Bible must be our pillar of guidance today. We must move where it moves! That is, if the Bible instructs us to do something, then we should be doing it! If we fail to do the good things that we know we can and should be doing, then we are sinning (James 4:17)! When God's word says, "Go," let's make sure we're going, whatever the issue may be. We cannot afford to be sluggish when the Scriptures summon us to action. We need to get up and follow our guiding pillar as it instructs us to evangelize, edify, and do good unto all (Matt. 28:19,20; Rom. 14:19; Gal. 6:10). We cannot follow our pillar by sitting still, or by merely studying it. It is not enough to simply believe that the pillar is our guide. We must get up and "move" accordingly if we hope to enter the Promised Land of Heaven!

However, once we are actively following the pillar of God's word, we must be careful. We must stop where it stops! We do not have the right to go beyond the authority of the Bible. If the New Testament does not give us the authority to do something, then we must not do it, no matter how much we want to or think that it would be permissible. We must not be guilty of adding to God's word or taking away from it--whether the issue is worship, doctrine, or some other matter pertaining to Christian life. Revelation 22:18,19 must always be remembered: "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (cf. Deut. 12:32; Prov. 30:5,6). Failing to stop where the pillar stops will also jeopardize one's entrance into the Promised Land of Heaven. Going beyond the pillar of God's word is just as bad as not moving in the first place.

Friends, the word of God is always with us, but we must choose to make it our guide continually. We must not attempt to guide ourselves with a different spiritual compass or map (for there is no other; cf. Gal. 1:6-8). Let us close with some beautiful thoughts on just how awesome God's word, our guiding pillar, is: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Tim. 3:16,17).