Do you ever wonder where God is in a certain situation?

When I have a hard time seeing God at work, I become easily anxious.  I get that pit in my stomach like a child lost in the grocery store.  Momentarily distracted by something shiny, I look away only to lose sight of the One I was following.

I think of the children of Israel wondering through the wilderness.  

The Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel by day or night.  – Exodus 13:21 HCSB

They could see Him with their eyes as they made their way. But, there came a point when He was no longer there in front of them. Imagine, a mass of people making their way through dangerous and unknown territory.  They have their eyes fixed on this pillar of cloud and it is their reassurance that they are moving in the right direction.  But, suddenly, it is no longer there.

And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.  — Exodus 14:19

God was leading them through the wilderness and then, suddenly, He was no longer in front of them.  Why?

The enemy was approaching.  The Egyptians were chasing the Israelites.  And God was not going to let them be overcome.  Instead, He took His place in between the enemy and His children.

The children of Israel may not have had God in their sights at that moment.  But God knew exactly where they were and He had not taken His eyes off of them for one minute.

We are promised God’s continual presence (Hebrews 13:5.)

We have His Word that He will never leave or forsake us.

If, for a moment, you can’t see Him…it may just be that He is behind you…standing between you and the Enemy.

You have shut me in…behind and before.  – Psalm 139:5 Amplified Bible