“The LORD replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” - Exodus 33:14
I have to admit something, a bit of a confession if you will. I am jealous of our laid-back, easy-going, don’t-need-to-know-it-all kind of friends. For example, I have a handful of friends who are pregnant and lo and behold, they are not (I repeat, not) finding out what they are having until the day their baby is born! The anticipation over what they are having is nearly driving me mad! That kind of patience is obviously something I lack. The minute I could find out what we were having in my pregnancies, you better believe I was at the earliest appointment possible! Sure, I like surprises, but more on the side of my husband calling and asking for a spontaneous date night. When it comes to big life matters, I like to be in the know. Can I get an amen, anyone?
You know who doesn’t necessarily disclose all that I want to know? Yes, our Lord God Almighty likes the future to be a bit of a mystery. For my fellow type-A’s out there, we might share an angst over this detail of our walk with God! While He may not know certain details of what the future may look like, He has promised us this: we have His presence.
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt through the wilderness, God was grieved by their lack of faith and their quickness to worship other idols (cough cough, golden calf). Essentially, God told them they would still receive the blessing and make it to the promised land, but His presence would no longer accompany them. Moses pleaded with God and even came to a standstill, for if God did not go with them, Moses would not lead the Israelites. Our verse today reassured Moses of God’s presence and of the Lord's promise to go with His people through the wilderness.
Living in the unknown, or perhaps wilderness seasons of our own, often makes us question what’s next or how long the season might take to get there. Wilderness seasons are often full of silence and questioning, and nothing will test your faith like nothing. Christine Cain writes, “The thing that will stretch your faith further than almost anything else is an extended season where nothing seems to be happening at all. You are praying. Believing. Trusting. And the silence is deafening.” In these times, we must remember God might be withholding the details we long for, but He is not withholding Himself.
The Israelites had to rely daily upon God’s presence and provision. If the cloud by day was on the move, so were the Israelites. If the fire by night was traveling, the camp followed. They even had to rely upon the Lord for their meals! God sent manna every day, for 40 years, to provide for His people. Today, I want to remind you that God hasn’t forgotten the recipe for manna. He knows what you need and when you need it. If there’s one thing I can encourage you today, I’d say this: lean into His presence. Follow closely. Rest, even in the unknown. He loves you and will lead you in what is next!
Let's pray ...
Lord,
Be my cloud by day and fire by night. Help me receive the manna you provide each day and help me rest, even when my anxiety wants answers! Today, I surrender to your plan. Your way is infinitely better than I could ever ask or imagine. Holy Spirit, keep my eyes locked on my Savior, and when I need to do another surrender, nudge my heart. I trade my need to know the details for my need to know more of you, Father. Meet me here in the unknown, and may I taste and see your peace and goodness. I will be careful to give you all of the glory!
In Jesus’ powerful name,
Amen.
What truth from today’s devotional is God using to encourage your heart? Share your reflection and join our conversation in the iBelieve Truth Devotional Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Brooke Balentine
Related Resource: How Faith Finds Us When Life Takes a Detour
Joining us this week is worship leader turned viral comedian Heather Land. After growing up in the shadow of her mother’s decades-long addiction, Heather reflects on how this painful season—alongside her unexpected shift from the worship stage to the world of comedy—taught her that while our paths may take unforeseen turns, our core calling to encourage and uplift others remains constant.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Rachel Kessler, an Episcopal priest and Kenyon College chaplain who completed her PhD in medieval studies at the University of Toronto before pivoting to seminary after hitting academic burnout, then built a following as the “Nerdy Priest” on TikTok after a student secretly downloaded the app on her phone.
If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Thursday, 27 August 2026.
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