Israel had no map to guide them in the desert. They had no GPS system. They were wandering in a trackless wilderness where there were no highways or trail markers.
In this barren land, God gave them supernatural guidance:
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire , to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (Exodus 13:20-22)
The cloud gave them a covering by day, and the fire gave light in the night (Psalm 105:39) He also sent His angel before them (Exodus 23:20).
Nehemiah recalls God's faithfulness even after Israel had rebelled, refused to obey, ignored God's miracles, and made a molten calf to worship as their god:
Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go. (Nehemiah 9:19)
In every wilderness experience of life--even one due to your own sins--God provides guidance.
The cloud in scripture is symbolic of God's presence. The Lord descended in a cloud to talk with Moses and Jesus ascended in a cloud. The fire is symbolic of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4). One of the purposes of the Holy Spirit is guidance (John 16:13). God Himself is called a "consuming fire".
You are not wandering aimlessly in the desert. God is guiding you through it. Even if you are in the desert because of your own rebellion, God has not abandoned you. He will lead you through to your divine destination.
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction...thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:20-21)
PRAYER:
My FATHER, My God, this year let my life reflect the blessing of the Lord, I shall not be static, I decree PROGRESS, FAVOR, HONOR, AND INFLUENCE are my portion. My life is SALTED, My speech is SALTED, My Home and Business are SALTED in the name of Jesus.