In his book A Sweet and Bitter Providence, John Piper offers these thoughts about God’s providence and guidance: “Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. . . . God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ.”

As Thanksgiving approaches this week and we begin to make our journeys to see family and friends, I think about other roads traveled in Deuteronomy 16. The Jews of that time, journeying to Jerusalem for the annual feasts, had the assurance of knowing that the Lord was plotting their course and managing the winding and troubled roads for them. It was their own form of Thanksgiving pilgrimage. They expressed this assurance in Psalm 121, a pilgrim song. The question, “From whence comes my help?” did not express doubt but affirmation in the Lord who rules supreme. Unlike a guard who sometimes slumbered, the Lord was fully alert and secured the journey of His people with providential care. The Lord, who rescued Israel, would continue to help, preserve, and walk with His people.

Life is a winding road with unknown destinations, dead-ends, and bumps, but we can be certain of one constant — God’s providence, security, and care will prove our help along the way.