While the Israelites were wandering in the desert, God literally became their GPS. Exodus 13 tells us that God’s presence led them through a pillar of cloud in the daytime and a pillar of fire at night. This visible manifestation of God's presence guided them through the wilderness providing direction, protection, and light. It showed that God was with His people and gave them a way forward even when everything was dark.

 

Many many years later, another fire in Acts 2 would appear over God’s people. Not to literally guide them at night, but to guide their lives to the purposes of God. Now, instead of just one pillar of fire, this fire would come and rest upon each believer. God’s presence was no longer external, but not dwelling inside of His people.

 

That exact same fire that was with the Israelites in the desert and that rested upon those in the upper room in Acts 2 is the same fire that dwells inside of you. It’s the presence of God. It’s His Spirit that leads you, brings conviction to make you better, and that guides you to truth.

 

You need the guidance of the Spirit to make the best choices, go the right direction, and to live out the purpose God has for you. Just how Israel couldn’t make a right move without the fire, we shouldn’t take a step without the Spirit’s guidance.

 

Moses understood the importance of being led by the Spirit of God that he even said in Exodus 33:15, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Moses was saying that he was not gonna take a step, he wasn’t going to move, unless the presence of God went before Him.

 

This should be our attitude when we seek the guidance of the Spirit because the Spirit knows what is best for us. When we are led by our own wants and our human nature, we will face things we were never meant to face, we will fail, and we won’t be fulfilled. God in his grace and mercy can bring us back on track if we allow our lives to be led by the Spirit. Where God’s Spirit is leading you is the exact place where you need to be. Being led by the Spirit means we need to listen, surrender our own compass, and trust the one who knows the best way forward.

 

Life can be a wilderness that is full of uncertainty, decisions that need to be made, and full of moments of fear, but you have a guide at your disposal. There’s a fire before you. The Holy Spirit is with you to lead you down the right path, bring protection, give you courage, and be your light.

 

REFLECT: Have you been walking through life through your own guidance or by the Spirit? In what area of your life have you not waited on the Spirit’s direction? How can you be more attentive to the Spirit’s guidance? Are there things in your life right now that you need the Spirit’s guidance for?

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PRAY: Pray that you would be led by the Spirit in all you do

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ADDITIONAL READING: Exodus 13:21-22; Exodus 33:14-15; Galatians 5:16-25

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Take a few minutes to think about this and write your thoughts down in a notebook or notes app.