God's Cloud in the Wilderness

The journey of the Hebrews from the edge of Egypt before the Red Sea all the way to Canaan land was marked by God's cloud. The LORD himself was in the cloud and it gave them protection and guidance. Exodus 13:21 The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
The people soon showed a tendency to forget the Lord's protect and the great power of his deliverance at the Red Sea and they began their practice of grumbling against the Lord and against Moses. Nevertheless God mercy and grace was given to them in the provision of the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. God led them all the way in spite of their sin. God goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go. Deuteronomy 1:33. Even after the judgment of the first generation dying in the wilderness with the two exceptions of Joshua and Caleb God never withdrew his cloud or stopped the provision of daily manna. A hymn of the journey written in the 1700's captures this story and turns it into a prayer that we as God's redeemed people have sung. God guide me O Thou Great Jehovah.
Guide me O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but You are mighty;
Hold me with Your powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.

Verse 2
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream does flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.