A Cloud by Day, a Fire by Night

A Cloud by Day, A Fire by Night is the first book I have read from A.W. Tozer. It is a collection of 23 chapters selected by James L. Snyder that start with a prayer, followed by an encouraging devotional section, and ends with a sampling of hymn lyrics. The chapters center around sermons by Tozer that examines battles faced by Christians in modern times and points out that battles were also faced by the Israelites. Therefore, lessons learned in Exodus can help us through the battles we face today. The book helps the reader learn how to discern the Will of God for their life. It is easy to read and is highly encouraging. In my case, it is also timely as the ever-busy spring season is upon us. In the first portion of the book, Tozer exhorts us find a way to calm the frenzied noises around us so that we take the time to listen to God’s voice. I recommend this book to anyone who longs to follow His direction more.

I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

A Cloud by Day, a Fire by Night: Finding and Following God’s Will for You by A.W. Tozer

5 stars

“When we allow God’s Word to beyond our ears and into our hearts, it stimulates us to do that which God is calling us to do.”

A.W. Tozer is considered to be one of the most famous Christian ministers and writers of the twentieth century. He is widely regarded and this is my first time having the pleasure to read one of his works. This short novel opens up with a prayer before each chapter and ends with poems from famous Christians prior to Tozer’s time in ministry. The theme of A Cloud by Day, a Fire by Night is the presence of God with the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt toward the promise land of Canaan. This novel is fantastic. I adored every chapter and I was moved. I actually picked this one up because God kept whispering this phrase into my mind and after a couple of times, I finally realized that I had a copy of this novel with the exact phrase He was whispering to my soul. This novel was very timely for me. It’s challenging, enlightening, and steeped with spiritual pleadings for the church to turn towards God’s promise and His Jesus instead of the empty promises of the world or that we offer ourselves under the guise of good ideas. Tozer delivers Biblical truth with surety and confidence. It’s beautiful and absolutely uplifting to read. I enjoyed every single minute of the experience that this novel provides. If you are a fan of Tozer, I can’t recommend this enough. If you haven’t read Tozer like me then this is also a great starting place.


“We need to relax a bit, turn away from the noise of the world, and listen to the voice of God because He has everything put together. He has prepared for us a place of service and ministry and will open the doors, despite the obstacles and the confusion we may experience during the journey.”

Whimsical Writing Scale: 5

Plotastic Scale: 5

Cover Thoughts: It’s simple. It’s not a bad cover, but I do think that it could be improved.

Thank you, Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A.W. Tozer's words are still very much applicable and relevant for life today. I always look forward to researching and picking up the new works that are released. I frequently read through his books several times over, and each time I come out with new revelation and insight.

I like the idea of the book - trying to discern God’s calling/direction for us, but I was a little put off with how verses were, in my opinion, taken out of context. The scripture in Exodus that the author uses for the basis of this book was for a very specific people and moment in. I do t agree that we have an angel guiding us. We have the Holy Spirit. Also, I don’t agree that the place He is preparing for us is referring to and earthly place but rather our heavenly home - the ultimate goal and hope to look forward to. Those are just examples from things I saw right off the bat. It really bothers me when people use scripture out of context Ande I think that happened here some.

This was a great, inspiring and relatively easy read. This compilation of sermons regarding the will of God by AW Tozer is accessible and would be great to read for devotionals and inspiration. There were lots of great quotables here and it was relevant today - despite the age and time passed since its writing!

A.W. Tozer's A Cloud by Day, a Fire by Night, is drawn from a sermon series preached by the author. Each chapter begins with a prayer and ends with a hymn. Between, there is discussion of how God led the Israelites with a literal cloud by day and a literal fire by night, and parallels of how He leads those in His church today.

Ideally, this book could be used as a devotional. Though I did not agree with all Tozer had to say, I did find many statements of truth that were encouraging and challenging.

Overall, I found this book to be "okay". It was one that I looked forward to reading at first, then had to force myself to finish. My rating may have been influenced by the long span of time spent reading the book. However, this is not one I would be likely to recommend to others.