"Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys." - Exodus 40:36-38
Being led through the wilderness by the presence of God, the people of Israel journeyed toward the Land that they had been promised. Even when they disobeyed and had to be disciplined by the Lord to keep them from sliding back into the pagan customs of their own background and of all the nations that surrounded them, God continued to faithfully lead them. And along the way He was transforming them into what He had told them they were: His own holy people. They had to watch the cloud of His presence over the tabernacle. Every time anyone went out the door of their tent, they would check it. What is the Lord indicating? Do we stay another day? Or should I start packing? We have often referred to the Lord’s leading in these same terms. There are times when we can sense that “the cloud is lifting up” and we are about to move. There are times when we know that we are where the Lord wants us to be, doing what He has called us to do, and we stay and continue. Knowing Jesus is more then doctrine, more than an intellectual assent to the truth of God’s Word. Jesus is Lord of our life, and He leads us through it, whether that means a long desert road or a place of abundance and prosperity. We’re on our way to the Home we’ve been promised. We aren’t there yet, and as we journey we have to stay sensitive to His leading. Lord, keep me aware of Your presence. Keep my ears tuned to Your voice. Give me a heart that responds to Your Word in faith and obedience, one that’s sensitive to Your leading, day by day. Transform me as we go; get me ready to live in the home You have prepared for me. Amen. Pastor Dan Giles