Written by: Gawie de Lange
Article source: JOY! Magazine

I recently had a conversation with Gillian (director of JOY!). She told me that she will not be making any New Year’s resolutions this year, as she struggles to stick to them and gets disappointed. So, she would rather choose a few things she knows she can change, and then actually implement them. This conversation made me think of my own life and what my expectations for 2026 are. My beautiful wife, Jackie, and I are entering the new year with a baby on the way, Georgia, along with three other boys and a new business venture. It can easily become overwhelming because of the financial implications for us. This makes me think about the hand of God in our lives, how He provides and how He guides. If you think of the Israelites wandering in the desert, we gain much insight into this. Below are three points to ponder on God’s hand in our lives.

1. God’s provision comes from Himself
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day’” (Exo 16:4). God gave them manna and quail to eat every day, and every morning the provision was new. He gave them water – enough for everyone. This is the same in our lives – He provides supernaturally. Sometimes it’s a clear miracle; sometimes it’s a steady, daily supply: leads for business, an unexpected payment, a surprise gift, or restored health. We can’t manufacture this; we receive it from the hand of the Provider.

2. God’s provision comes through obedience: blessing was in the instruction
“In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions’” (Exo 16:4). When the Israelites were in the desert, God didn’t only provide – He paired His provision with instruction. He told them how much manna to gather, when not to gather, and how to trust Him for the next day. Those who tried to “secure” more than God said found it spoiled. However, those who obeyed His voice experienced peace and sufficiency. There is a principle here for our own lives: sometimes the breakthrough is not in doing more, but in doing what He said. Provision follows obedience. When we follow the daily instruction of the Lord, even when it feels small, He ensures there is enough for today, and enough for tomorrow.

3. God provides guidance, not aimless wandering
“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” (Exo 13:21). On the journey, God led the Israelites visibly: a cloud by day and fire by night. When the cloud moved, they moved. It wasn’t random wandering; it was intentional direction. God guides our steps just the same, in big decisions and in small daily choices. We don’t always see the whole road, but He gives clear signals when we look to Him.

This article is featured in the January issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za

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Date published: 05/01/2026
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.

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