The events of Exodus 33 happen just after Israel made an idol (i.e., a golden calf) to worship because they were afraid when Moses delayed returning from Mount Sinai. God told Moses to go ahead and take the people to the land of promise. He would send an angel before them to clear out the people who lived there. It appears to be a pretty clear path, right?! God’s directions seem as straightforward as this marker for the Appalachian Trail I saw in Georgia. Just follow the path, and you will be okay. But there was a problem: God said, “. . . but I will not go up among you” (Ex. 33:3; ESV). So the people took off their jewelry as a sign of repentance for their sin. And Moses plead with the LORD, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here” (Ex. 33:15; ESV). Even though the path appeared to be clear to the land of promise, Moses wasn’t willing to take a step. Unless he was assured of God’s presence in the journey, Moses said, “do not bring us up from here.” There is a principle here for us. When we are making decisions and the path appears clear, there is one more question we need to ask: Is God going with me down this path?