The children of Israel journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan. God delivered them from Pharaoh's power, they crossed the Red Sea, and they came to Mount Sinai where they remained for about a year. Next, they set out from Mount Sinai, and the LORD led them with a cloudy pillar by day and a fiery pillar by night. Two years after they left Egypt, they made it to Kadesh Barnea--the entry to the Promised Land. Because they did not believe that God would go before them and help them defeat the Canaanites, they remained in the wilderness for an additional thirty-eight years. We could say that the first two years were the "legitimate" wilderness experience, and the last thirty-eight years were the "illegitimate" experience. This was God's discipline for their unbelief. Nevertheless, the LORD was with them every step of the way. He never left them until He fulfilled His word and brought them into the Promised Land. Through good times and bad, God was there, and even in their chastening, God loved them and was working His will in them, preparing them for better things.

We also are on a journey. Egypt represents the world, and the Promised Land represents our new life in the Spirit. Yes, even in the Promised Land there are battles to fight and giants to conquer. But we know that we are resting in Jesus Christ, and the battle belongs to the Lord. In every circumstance...through good times and bad...God is there, guiding us each day and leading us to where He wants us to go.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23, NKJV)

We have no trouble accepting this when things are going well. Hopefully we are thankful to God in such times as He guides us and blesses our way. But what about when things aren't going well? What about when we encounter hardships and heartaches? Is God still guiding our steps? Can His goodness still be trusted?

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:1–4, NKJV)

In every step, through every season, God is there as our Good Shepherd guiding us through life until we reach our final destination with Him in heaven. Even if we are suffering His chastening because of our own poor choices, He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

While at the Pastors' Conference this week, I wrote down something Pastor Raul Ries said. "We need to get on our faces before God and ask Him what He has for our life." We must recognize that God has a plan for each of us. He has steps He wants us to take. He has places He wants us to go. But we won't understand or have peace in our journey unless we are daily seeking His face, asking to know His will, and listening to what He says.

May God help you to know that He is with you today and that if you will look up, He will guide you to your final destination.