God is Our Guide – What Path Do I Choose?
In the well-known Biblical account God deployed a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide Israel’s trek across the wilderness. I’ve been guilty of thinking that life might be a tad easier if those same devices could hover and help with my decisions. God is our guide, indeed, but what path should I choose? Join me in this multi-part study as we dig into the descriptor of God as our guide and dissect examples from Scripture where that guidance is on display.
How many decisions must I make each day?
We face scads of decisions on a daily basis. Some have little impact— “Do I have room for another donut?” Others exercise a weightier influence— “Should I run this red light since I’m in a hurry?” Shawn and I partner through our decisions as we research, exchange data and compile lists of pros and cons. And we’ve learned that somewhere in that dust storm of verbiage, we must include a Third Party. We must stop to ask God for His guidance (see James 1:5). It’s free. He’s real smart. And He’s waiting for us to ask.
In my trek through Scripture, I’ve tagged (so far) over 100 instances where the descriptor “guide” applies to God with 26% of those peppered around the Pentateuch. Moses clearly recognized his and his people’s need for Someone outside and above themselves to point the direction. I’ve also found other descriptors of God which mesh well with guide— light, omniscient, teacher, Father, planner, shepherd—and we’ll work through some of those in future sessions. Take special note—God does not intend that His children struggle aimlessly through life thinking luck and chance override childlike dependence on Him.
And pity the fool who thinks, “I’ve got this. I know what to do. No need to bother God.” Has God ever surprised you with His work in your life? Have you been blindsided by unexpected developments? Sometimes we utter an exuberant, “Wow! What a blessing!” But at other times, with our limited understanding of God’s plan, we moan, “Oh, me! Oh, my!” Best we keep close to God, and trust Him to guide us through.
God’s Love for Moses
God displayed His loving care for Moses as the shepherd stepped into a management role to lead Israel out of Egypt. Moses carried a full plate of responsibilities, but God lifted one decision from those over-burdened shoulders. Moses did not have to ask, “Which path do I choose?” With a cloud by day and a fire by night, God led the wanderers— “March!” “Left!” “Your other left, Moses!” “Now, right!” “OK, stop and camp here!”
God brought water out of rocks to sate the thirsty travelers, dumped angel food cake around the camp to feed the hungry masses, and preserved clothes and sandals so nothing wore out on the long journey (Deuteronomy 8:4). In short, He provided, and all the people needed to do was follow His lead.
How did God use the cloud/fire to provide direction? Simple. If the cloud/fire stays put, don’t move. If the cloud moves, you move! But what spiritual lessons would astute thinkers glean from the experience? Let’s find out.
With the pillars God proved His faithful guidance.
How quickly after their departure from Egypt would Israel need a wilderness guide? Immediately! And God was on the job! The pillar appeared as Israel left Egypt, and remained, day and night, until the nation took possession of the land of Canaan some forty years later.
…He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people… Exodus 13:21-22 NASB Selected
Any doubts that anyone held about God’s presence or His intentions for the nation could be instantly resolved with a look toward the sky above the camp. Faithful God proved Himself a fabulous Guide.
The twin markers were a whosoever experience.
Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel certainly needed God’s guidance to know when to move out and which direction to step, but God placed the cloud and fire where anyone, from youngest to oldest, could watch. All could participate in observing and appreciating God’s guidance. A nation fleeing slavery needed a symbol of belonging to something new, something they’d never experienced before, and God placed Himself in the camp as that rallying point. He included everyone.
The pillars became an object lesson on patience.
Waiting is hard work, and waiting on God’s guidance can be excruciating. When I’m working on a decision and need input from God, I hope for a timely response. Like right now! God created day and night which places mankind in a time-oriented universe, but God is not time-limited. He works according to His own schedule. I must ask for wisdom, and then wait for His answer. Author Harold Snyder offers this wisdom:
Today’s followers of Christ must learn the full significance of the pattern of the children of Israel in the desert, who went or stopped when the cloud moved or stayed. They must learn to wait upon the Lord, to be sensitive to his leadings and to depend less and less on the arm of flesh.[1]
What about those times when the cloud hovered for days and days? Had God abandoned His people? Was His guidance removed? Absolutely not. God was building faith, preparing the next destination, and perhaps allowing time for rest. Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, wrote:
We are being guided, even when we feel it least.[2]
Though He is not time-bound, God’s guidance was timely!
With the pillar of cloud/fire God segmented the wilderness journey into travel-sized portions. He scheduled needed rest periods near fresh water that He also provided. He parked the nation at the base of Mount Sinai for nearly a year as the law was given and the construction of the tabernacle took place. Perhaps the cloud provided shade to cool the pilgrims during blistering hot days, and the pillar of fire certainly made night travel possible.
The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night… Exodus 13:21-22 NASB Selected
God, in His omniscience, knew the best routes, and He knew the physical capabilities of His people. He planned accordingly, guided with wisdom, and showed consideration for His people’s limitations. I love these words from the pen of David…
The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Psalms 103:13-14 NLT
Each person had to watch closely.
I wonder if the days on the journey became monotonous? Wake up. Gather manna. Feed the family. Clean up. Fill the water pots. Stroll around the camp. Talk with the neighbors. Go to sleep. Repeat.
Routine can render us less alert to God’s guidance. He can and does work in earth-shattering ways, but He also displays a subtlety that demands careful attention. Author Patrick Morley warns:
Too often we get ahead of God and make decisions without consulting Him.[3]
Each Israelite had to watch the cloud/fire closely. No one wanted to grow sluggish, miss the cue, and be left behind. That raises a significant issue with God’s guidance. He does not force it on His followers. His leading must be sought out and accepted willingly.
We must be willing to be led. There is so much natural impetuosity in us to shoot on in front and “prospect” for ourselves.[4]
Can we imagine the excitement that permeated the camp as the cloud moved? The mystery of discovery. A new challenge. Questions like, “What awaits around the bend?” One statement could be uttered in complete truthfulness, “We’ve never been this way before!” And everyone knew that, so they took care to follow God’s lead.
God’s guidance triggered thanksgiving!
After leaving Egypt, on the run and stepping closer to the Red Sea, Israel noticed the rising dust cloud behind them and knew. Pharaoh and his army marched in hot pursuit. For a group fleeing slavery, freedom seemed ripe with danger. How could a ragtag band of slaves overpower the elite Egyptian troops?
God knew the situation. He had in fact shared this development with Moses.
“For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ “Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. Exodus 14:3-4 NASB
A long night passed as God with His pillar of fire stood guard between the anxious slaves and the well-armed Egyptian army. Where was Moses? He was obeying God’s clear but highly unusual directions.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. “As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. Exodus 14:15-16 NASB
And look what God did!
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Exodus 14:21-22 NASB
God turned certain defeat into a resounding victory. As the bodies of the drowned Egyptians washed onto the shore, Moses and the sons of Israel celebrated God with a song. Let me close with words from that Song of Moses (found in Exodus 15). We do not want to take the blessing of God’s guidance lightly, or to take it for granted. We need to acknowledge Him as our Guide by giving thanks.
“The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be gratified against them; I will draw out my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ “You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; They sank like lead in the mighty waters. “Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders? “You stretched out Your right hand, The earth swallowed them. “In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed; In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation. Exodus 15:9-13 NASB
Let’s summarize what we’ve learned today.
- With the pillars God proved His faithful guidance.
- The twin markers were a whosoever experience.
- The pillars became an object lesson on patience.
- Though He is not time-bound, God’s guidance was timely!
- Each person had to watch closely.
- God’s guidance triggered thanksgiving!
Bible references to note:
- Exodus 13:21-22
- Exodus 40:36-38
- Numbers 9:15-23
- Numbers 10:34-36
- Deuteronomy 1:30-33
My free gift to you
You’ve made it to the end of the article, and here is a freebie. You can retrieve the entire chapter, Decision-Making: Choose the Right Options, from my book, Facets of Manhood, just by clicking. Nothing to fill out. No information to share. Just take it and use it. May God bless you.
[1] Snyder, Harold A. The Problem of Wine Skins. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press. 1976. p 189.
[2] Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor, Hudson Taylor in Early Years: The Growth of a Soul, vol. 1 (1912; repr., London: Morgan & Scott), Kindle.
[3] Morley, Patrick. The Man In The Mirror. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 1997. p 219.
[4] Meyer, F. B. The Shepherd Psalm. Kindle ed.
