When God Set Traffic Lights in the Wilderness

Daily Devotional – Monday, August 16, 2021

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalms 32:8 (NIV)

When God led the children of Israel through the wilderness, He created a mechanism to shield them from extreme weather conditions. During the day, He provided a cloud to protect them from the sun. At night, a pillar of fire provided warmth.

The cloud had another critical role. “Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents” (Numbers 9:17).

God did not leave anything to chance. He knew his children could easily get lost in the desert. He set his traffic lights in place. “At the LORD’s command they encamped, and at the LORD’s command they set out.”(Numbers 9:23).

The same God who guided the Israelites through the desert promises to do the same to you. He says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalms 32:8).

Today, God the Holy Spirit is your cloud. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13). God also guides us through His word, nature, experience and His servants.

If you listen carefully, you will hear God telling you when to proceed, when to wait and when to stop in your life. With God, you don’t have to guess your next move.  You have exact instructions for your life.

Father, teach me to listen to Your voice and to follow You wherever You lead.