Numbers 21:4
And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

As Christians, sometimes our hearts can be much discouraged because of the way. We face many uncertainties in this life. At times we may feel we have our futures all planned out, and then what we expected to happen never comes to pass. That can be very disheartening. This has happened to me a couple of times, and I have often wondered, why when I pray for something for so long and only seek God's will in this thing, does the Lord not grant my request? Or we may face troubles in this life, and we wonder why the Lord has brought us in this way. If God wanted to, He could prevent us from having to ever face difficulties in life. He could fulfill all our desires when we have them, so we need never be discouraged again. But what sort of life would that be? The Lord knows what is best for us, and how would we learn to trust Him if we always had everything that we wanted, or if we never experienced trials?

Well I have felt disappointed this past few days about unanswered prayers, but I have taken courage that the Lord is with me and has a plan for my life. One of my favourite artists is a man called Len Magee. He has written some beautiful songs. One of my favourites is "I'll go before you", and it is based on several scriptures from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 11:11-12, 31:7-8).

As I have been with you throughout the year
I'll go before you, so have no fear
And I will bring you to the land that I have chosen
I'll go before you, so have no fear

    A land which flows with milk and honey
    With mountain streams and winding valleys
    A land wherein I'll go before you
    My eyes are on this land the whole year through
    I'll go before you, so have no fear

You may not understand what I am doing
I'll go before you, so have no fear
Through fire and flood and cloud, I'll still be here
I'll go before you, so have no fear

I feel that no matter what circumstances I may face in life, no matter what disappointments I may have, no matter what experiences in this life I may be denied, I would not change a thing. Even when I had my motorbike accident, I felt inside that God has hedged in my way, and although I may see other paths over the hedge, I would not want to take them for it would mean forsaking my Lord. Like Israel's exodus from Egypt to the promised land, our life's journey may be fraught with difficulties. Has God promised us an easy life? Has God promised us prosperity and riches? Some seem to think so, but this is not what God has promised us. God has promised to be with us (Matthew 28:20), and I would rather have His presence with me on my journey than to have soul's ease or all the riches of earth. God's eyes are indeed on the land He has promised to give us. We may not understand the way in which He is taking us, but we know that He will go before us in the way. And when I finally arrive at my destination, when I see Him face to face, He won't be a stranger. For I will recognize Him as the One who has been with me every step of the journey, and I will thank Him for ever saving me, and for being with me in the way.

Isaiah 42:16
And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

This is my God. You can know Him too, if you trust in Him for salvation.