And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.  So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
Numbers 9:15-16

The “Tent of the testimony” was completed, the priesthood, was consecrated  to the LORD. All had been done just as the LORD had commanded Moses. At the raising of the “Tent of the testimony” a powerful show of approval from God is seen by all the people.

The LORD God gives His approval by showing up in a cloud over the tent of testimony by day, and a fire by night. Both of these things rested on the tent showing the people of God’s powerful presence.

The cloud by day, and fire by night had been present when they were  fleeing from Egypt. Now the people can see that God is dwelling in their midst. They could know and say, “GOD is with us.” When the cloud or the fire would move from the tent, then the people knew it was time to move on. When the cloud and the fire stayed, even for a week, a month or a year, they would stay.

Today, the follower of Jesus Christ can know that “GOD is with us,” because we trust in the Son of God who is Jesus Christ, who is also Immanuel which means, “God with us.” When we called on the name of the Lord for our eternal salvation He gave us the Holy Spirit who is our earnest payment (2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:14) for assurance of God’s presence in us, on us, and around us. He always leads us to continue in fellowship with Christ.

How do we stay in fellowship with Christ? First we must have the Holy Spirit, and be attentive to Him. He is present in the reading, study, and doing of the word of God. He is the One who guides us into all truth (John 16:13). We must have a heart and an ear for hearing the Spirit,  and following His lead. That comes by communicating with Christ Jesus through prayer, and hearing Him through His word; His commandments, statutes, His law, His judgments, His precepts, His total, and trustworthy word. God will do what He says He will do. Not one word will fail.

Are you in fellowship with God. I can tell you with full assurance that if you do not know Jesus Christ for who He is – the Christ, Son of the Living God – believing He died on the cross for you, was buried, and arose from the dead. That you are not in fellowship with God.

Call on the name of the Lord, believing Him, and He will hear you and deliver you from all your sins. Will you do that today?