The Scriptures tells us that when God brought the people of Israel out of bondage of slavery in Egypt, He went before them as Pillar of Cloud by day, and Pillar of Fire by night. God is revealed to us in different attributes that defines who He is. 

  Exodus 3:14 "¹⁴ And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you." 

At this point & stage, God is telling us, that He is manifesting Himself as the 'Great Deliverer' of the people. 

  He instructed Moses on what the people had to do to observe the Passover Night that would unleashed His power, as the LORD that brought them of with a 'Strong Hand.' As the people did observe to do His instruction given to Moses, God smote all the first born in Egypt at Midnight. There was a great cry in the land, because from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on the throne up to the firstborn of the captive in dungeon and even to the firstborn of the cattles.

  God always give us instructions for our own good and benefits, not to make our lives uncomfortable. And we obey His instruction, there's a blessing tied to us for us.

  Then God led them all through the wilderness, meeting every need and demolishing all foes and enemies on the way through the wilderness, until they got to the 'Promised Land'.

Exodus 13:17 "¹⁷ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:"

  The LORD God did not lead the people through the shortest way, because He knew the people were not trained and prepared for war, and if they come across war, their hearts might faint and they return to the bondage of Egypt. 

  It's same with us, when we let the LORD God have complete control and reins over our lives, He knows all things and has seen the end from the beginning. Though He lead us through stormy seasons, through trials, through challenges, through trouble waters, He's using all of these to develop us. Teaching us to depend solely on Him, trust Him implicitly, lean on Him, rest in His abilities and have faith in His Word that He's with us at all times and would be with us until the end, and He'll not forsake or leave us.

 Exodus 13:21-22 "²¹ And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: ²² He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

  Just as the LORD God went before the people by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them, guide them, direct their path, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give light to them night. He was with them day and night. So, also He's still doing today, with His Word. For His Word is a lamp unto our feet to light up our path in the journey of life. He was with them at all times. In this day and age, what we need most is, His Presence. It must be an indispensable part of your life. Seek more of His Presence...and everything else will fall into place in your life.