“The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.” Exodus 13:20-22 NLT
Wilderness wandering can cause you to lose focus. Managing to think and see clearly in a valley of overwhelming frustration seems impossible. All of us find ourselves in a wilderness at some point in our lives. Not only is our vision blurry, but there seems to be no exit ramp to brighter days.
The children of Israel were just released into brighter days after 400 years in bondage by the Egyptians. The Lord promised He would guide them as they moved from Succoth and on to Etham by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. After a miraculous escape through the parting of the Red Sea they found themselves on their way to Mt. Sinai. The cloud and pillar of fire never left them and soon they would need them more than ever. (Neh.9:19)
Israel soon found themselves wandering in the wilderness for 40 years after disobeying God in failing to enter the Promised Land when first presented to them. That generation would never see that exit ramp to brighter days again, but it will appear to their children. During those 40 years in the wilderness the Lord still led them and provided for them. The cloud and pillar of fire remained. The future generation saw God’s faithfulness as He led them through the wilderness and eventually into the Promised Land.
Whatever your wilderness journey is, the Lord is there to guide you through it. You may not have a physical cloud or a fire at night as Israel had, but what you have is the same assurance they had of the immediate presence of God. The Lord guided Israel into the Promised Land and He will guide you through your wilderness into the brighter days ahead.
Word for the Soul 