“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” Exodus 13:21

Has God ever required you to travel at spiritual night? Moving forward without the full plan to use as your guide or compass? He has required me to travel by spiritual night on more than a few occasions and I can tell you the journey took some time to get used to.

I am a planner. I believe in guidelines, timelines, procedures and schedules. The first time God required me to travel in spiritual night I was rebellious. I didn’t know where He was trying to take me or for what reason. I didn’t have a plan or know the purpose of the journey so I set down and wouldn’t move. I told God, “I’ll do what you tell me to do when you tell me what the end result is going to be and give me a plan!”

God began closing doors and locking windows in my life. And if that weren’t enough, He started turning up the heat making it impossible for me to stay where I was, so I took the only way of escape He left me.

Then I realized the way He had left me was dark because I hadn’t been that way before, I didn’t have a plan nor any experience to cling to during this time. I didn’t know how to travel this path but it was the only path God had left me. Everything else was cut off.

I cried out to God but there was only silence. I prayed but there was no answer. I resolved to go back to the way I had come but I couldn’t because all roads leading back had been blocked. The only way I could go was forward, but how?

Even in our darkest times, during our spiritual night travels, God provides a pillar of fire to lead us. It may be on your coffee table or your night stand. You may have left it in your car from the last time you went to your house of worship, but it is your pillar of fire by night. It is the word of God!

In Exodus 13:21 the pillar of fire guided the people through the wilderness and assured them of God’s presence. That’s what God’s word does for us! Are you in a wilderness experience in your life right now? If so, here’s some light for you to walk in:

You are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly realm – Ephesians 1:3

You are chosen by the Father – Ephesians 1:4

You are God’s workmanship – Ephesians 2:10

You are victorious – I John 5:4

You are an overcomer – Revelation 12:11

You are healed – I Peter 2:24

You are more than a conqueror – Romans 8:37

God has given you the ability to produce wealth – Deuteronomy 8:18

God hears you when you call – Isaiah 65:24

“We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light. Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright. Shine all around us by day and by night. Jesus, the light of the world.” George D. Elderkin