“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” Exodus 13:21 (NIV)
On a trip to a remote area by myself, I drove out of the coverage range for my mobile phone’s Internet network, but I didn’t worry about going online to access a GPS map until the GPS in my rental car stopped working too. Suddenly, I had no map to figure out where I was driving: my hotel for the night. I felt panic starting to come over me, so I pulled over to the side of the road and prayed for help. Then an idea came into my mind: check to see if I could still place phone calls, even though I couldn’t connect to the Internet. I tried, and sure enough, the call to my hotel went through. For the next 20 minutes or so, a caring employee at my hotel’s front desk personally guided me through an unfamiliar area and successfully to the parking lot of my hotel. It was an even better experience than using GPS because the employee gave me valuable tips on what to see and do in the area while he directed my driving.
Exodus 13:21 reveals that God serves as a personal guide. The Israelites, who had just gotten out of slavery in Egypt, didn’t have a map when they traveled toward the land God had promised them. But they had something more valuable than a map: God himself traveling with them and guiding them in the right direction!
God became their personal guide, in the form of a cloud by day and fire by night. God was there, all the time, in a way they could clearly see. The pillar of cloud and fire moved, telling them how fast to go and which way. When it moved, they moved. When it stopped, they stopped. They didn't need to check a map, figure out symbols, or argue about the best ways to go. Their instruction was simple: follow God.
God, in his wonderful wisdom and love, knows that a guide is better than a map. He doesn’t just hand us a map for our lives and expect us to figure it all out from there. Instead, God gives us his presence every day.
A guide – especially an all-knowing and all-powerful guide, as God is – can do much more for us than a map. God can guide us through changes in real time, with knowledge and personal encouragement that go beyond details on a map. God also knows the end from the start. He sees all the challenges and opportunities in our future, so he can guide us to make the best decisions, and to do so at the best times.
When the way ahead seems unclear to you, remember how God is willing to show up for you as a personal guide. Remember that God isn’t a distant mapmaker whom you can’t connect with to ask questions or get encouragement. God is there for you every step of the way, leading you as you move forward. God won’t show you your whole journey at once, but he will show you the next step when the time is right. The next step is really all you need to see. God is already in your future, getting everything ready for you when the time is right.
So, don’t worry about not having a map you can follow on your spiritual journey. God has promised to go before you, to be with you, and to never leave you as you walk forward. So, trust God and follow him as your personal guide. Then you’ll reach your destination well, fulfilling God’s good purposes for your life!
Let’s pray:
Dear God, I confess that I often want a detailed map of my life, so I can try to plan my path and guess what’s in my future. Please forgive me for trying to control too much and not trusting you enough. Right now, I’m letting go of asking you to give me a map, and I’m trusting you to be my personal guide. Just like you did for the Israelites during Bible times, I pray that you would go before me every day and night, leading me where you want me to go. Help me to listen to your voice and to follow you with confidence. Thank you for being right here with me on every step of my journey. I love you; amen.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Adolfo_Felix
Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber
Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.
In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward
If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Wednesday, 04 June 2025.
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