But I cannot tell you the meaning of that wonderful name. Nor yet the wondrous charm of Him who, for our sakes, embodies it. You may put together all these illustrations in the attempt to get a real, close-up, idea of what Jesus meant in that love-gift of His to you. And then you will not know. There is really only one way to gain that knowledge. It is this: take the step which belongs to your side of the transaction between you and the Master. Surrender yourself to Him to be changed and cleansed and used as He may choose. Then He will begin at once working out the side that belongs to Him. You shall be filled with His presence. Then you will begin to know. Then you can sing—
"I have a wonderful guest,
Who speeds my feet, who moves my hands,
Who strengthens, comforts, guides, commands,
Whose presence gives me rest.
"He dwells within my soul,
He swept away the filth and gloom;
He garnished fair the empty room,
And now pervades the whole."
And you shall go on knowing more and better until the day dawn and the shadows flee away.
Of the twenty incidents referred to three do not directly mention the cloud, and in two others it is over the mount, with its characteristics much intensified. The references are given for those who will want to get closer up to this famous illustration.
Guidance: Ex. xiii: 21-22, with Numbers xiv: 14.
Bodily nourishment. Ex. xv: 25; xvi: 13-14, 45; xvii: 6. Numbers xi: 31-32. xx: 1-12.
Protection from bodily harm: The nation—Ex. xiv: 19-20. The leaders—Num. xiv: 10 and on. xvi: 19 and on. xvi: 42 and on. xx: 1-12.
Defeat of an enemy: Ex. xiv: 24-31, xvii: 8-16.