The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the desert. The Lord showed them the way; during the day he went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud,

and during the night he was in a pillar of fire to give them light.In this way they could travel during the day or night. The pillar of cloud was always with them during the day, and the pillar of fire was always with them at night. 

Exodus 13:20-22 (NCV)

God is with us day and night, too. He goes before us, He guides our steps, and He shows us the way. We don’t have God in a pillar of cloud or a pillar of fire moving ahead of us, but He’s still with us. We have the assurance of His Word. Sometimes, it’s easy to see God’s activity and leading in our lives. Other times, the path remains hidden. We all want to know what’s up ahead, what tomorrow and every day after will bring. We wish we could just take a peek into the future to know what’s around the next corner, and the next. But God doesn’t need us to know what’s ahead. What’s coming could either fill us with pride or burden us with fear. He just wants us to trust Him and know that He is there. 

It’s interesting that during the day, God was a pillar of cloud. Not something that would allow the Israelites to view what was coming up, but a cloud. Clouds block our view. We can’t see through them or around them, but we see the light, and we know the sun is still there. We trust its presence and have faith that it will shine again tomorrow. Another thing to note: the pillar of cloud was only in front of the Israelites, not behind them. Perhaps they couldn’t see what was coming up, but they could see where they had been. God doesn’t want us looking back with shame or guilt. He doesn’t want us clinging to past mistakes and letting those mistakes identify and label us. But He does expect us to learn from our mistakes and keep our eyes on Him. When we live in the freedom He gives, we can look forward in faith, not back in disgrace. 

God is with you day and night. No matter what is around the next corner, you can trust that the SON is still there. Every hardship and every joy you have yet to experience, He has already seen. You can trust Him and count on His presence, and you can have faith that He will shine again tomorrow. You are prayed for and dearly loved!