The God who Guides You and Hides You

 By: Lauren Thomas

“Just one bad thing after another.” That’s what it feels like sometimes. Thank God, our feelings aren’t always the ultimate reality. Sometimes a greater truth transcends our circumstances. One example of this is found in Exodus 14, which describes the Hebrews leaving Egypt while being pursued by Pharaoh’s army. Verses 19-20 explain that the Angel of God, who was leading the Israelites, moved to stand behind them, so that the Egyptians could not come near.

 

¹⁹ Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, ²⁰ coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.

Exodus 14:19-20 ESV

Just a few verses before, we read about the emotional reaction from the Israelite people when they saw the Egyptian army: they “feared greatly” and began to lament their plight. The reality of their circumstance was that they were being pursued by an enemy army. But the greater truth was that the God who guided them out of slavery, was also the God who was hiding them from the enemy. The enemy was close behind. But God went before and behind his people, to guide them and to hide them.

 

You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.

Psalm 139:5 ESV

 

The God who guides us is the God who hides us. He goes before and behind.

 

He leads us through good times and bad times. But He also hides us, meaning, He protects us. Psalms is sprinkled with references to being hidden in the shelter of His wings. In His wings is protection; there we are shielded from evil. Jesus also used this imagery in Matthew 23:37. God is bigger, God is greater than anything we might face. He is wiser, knowing the perfect path through our challenges.

 

There is an enemy who attacks me. This is reality. But the transcendent truth is that God is able to both guide me and hide me. So, when I feel overwhelmed by the onslaught of attacks, I pray like David did:

⁶ I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
    incline your ear to me; hear my words.
⁷ Wondrously show your steadfast love,
    O Savior of those who seek refuge
    from their adversaries at your right hand.

⁸ Keep me as the apple of your eye;
    hide me in the shadow of your wings,

Psalm 17:6-8 ESV

 

Reflection:

Where do you need God to guide you today? How do you need Him to hide you?
Take some time to visualize God guiding you and hiding you. Visualize how much greater God is than your circumstances.