Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,
Exodus 14:19 NIV
It is sobering to realise how easily believers can live unaware of God’s active presence and provision in their lives. Many times, we focus so much on the pressures before us that we fail to recognise the God who is walking beside us. In Exodus 14, the Israelites faced one of the most defining moments of their journey. They stood trapped between the Red Sea ahead and Pharaoh’s pursuing army behind. Panic gripped their hearts as fear silenced their faith. Yet, while they fretted over their predicament, God was already at work preparing their deliverance.
This moment reveals a profound truth — the angel of the Lord had been travelling with them all along. God had not just appeared in their crisis; He had been with them from the very beginning. Yet it seems the Israelites were unaware of His abiding presence. If they had truly recognised that God was with them, their response to the trial might have been very different. Instead of fear and complaint, faith and thanksgiving could have filled their hearts. Instead of longing for Egypt — a place of bondage — they might have rejoiced in the assurance of divine protection and purpose.
Their deliverance did not come from a sudden, external intervention. The same God who had led them day by day was the One who stepped into their moment of danger. The miracle of the Red Sea was not the arrival of a new helper but the manifestation of the One who had been present all along.
How often do we, like the Israelites in this passage, forget this truth? The God who carried us yesterday is the same One sustaining us today. He is not a distant deity who visits occasionally; He is Emmanuel — God with us. Even when we cannot feel Him, He is there, guarding, guiding, and working behind the scenes for our good.
Many believers today move through life without awareness of this divine companionship. We pray for help as though God were far away, not realising that His Spirit already dwells within us. The same presence that led Israel through the wilderness now leads us through every challenge we face.
God wants us to awaken to this awareness. His presence is not a momentary visitation but a continuous reality. The Holy Spirit is with us to comfort, guide, and empower us. The victories we seek will not come from new interventions but from a deeper trust in the God who never leaves nor forsakes us.
When we truly grasp that God is with us, our fears begin to fade. We stop striving and start resting in His sufficiency. He is faithful to fulfil every promise, and His strength is more than enough to sustain us.
There is no need to doubt His ability or question His timing. God is not waiting to show up — He is already here. If we will only trust Him, surrendering every worry to His care, we will see His glory unfold in our lives. The same God who parted the Red Sea will make a way for us, too.
Living It Out
Take a moment today to reflect on where you might have forgotten that God is with you. In your waiting, your worries, and your weariness, He has never left your side. Pause, breathe, and acknowledge His presence right where you are.
Pray for a fresh awareness of His nearness and strength. Choose to trust that the same God who delivered Israel still walks beside you. When you face what feels impossible, remember — He is with you, and that is enough.