Scripture:
Numbers 9:20-23 ESV
20] Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the Lord they remained in camp; then according to the command of the Lord, they set out. [21] And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out. [22] Whether it was two days, a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the Tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. [23] At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord, they set out. They kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses.
Observation:
The glory of the LORD was teaching the Israelites to, not only listen but follow HIM. The cloud would come down and rest on the Tabernacle and stay until the LORD saw fit for them to leave that spot. Sometimes it would stay overnight and sometimes it would stay for long periods. The point is it was the command of the LORD. No one was able to go into the Tabernacle when the cloud was over it. That could be days or that could be years. No one but GOD knew how long HE was going to stay. Remaining still was the key. It was the command of the LORD.
Application:
Do you, have you, or are you waiting on GOD to move? What are you doing in the meantime? Are you learning anything? Are there things inside of you that need to change? Are you being obedient? I honestly think that’s the key here because if we look back at the scripture it says “at the command of the LORD.” more than once. Waiting is part of the following. Have you ever had to follow someone in a car? What happens when they stop and you keep on going? But you do not know how to get to your destination. You get lost. If you are following you have to wait. The cool part is you get to wait with them. If there is one thing that the LORD is teaching me it’s how to wait. The funny thing is pastor Chad is in a series of sermons about waiting, and this is where the LORD had me stop this morning. That’s not even to mention yesterday morning. One thing I have learned is… Waiting is not fun. It shapes you and presses on you, it makes you think about the things that need to change in you. However, it also gives you time to just trust GOD, to take HIM at HIS word to worship HIM to be still, and train your ear to HIS voice. If you don’t follow HIS it’s because you can’t hear HIM. I’m a believer that if we could hear HIM the whole world would follow HIM. Waiting is hard, but it’s worth it. I would never be where I am today if I had not been waiting for GOD to move.
Prayer:
Father, we are here in your glory. Waiting. Knowing that your plan is best. Not wanting to get ahead of you. Trusting that you will make all things right, and when you tell us to move. We will move. However, as long as your glory is here we will be here. So as we wait… We just want to ask you to show us who we are in you, shape us, and train us to hear your voice. We do not want to get ahead of you and we do not want to be where we are not supposed to be. When you settle in let us settle in and when you move let us move our waiting is about you. Let us worship in our waiting. We want to hear your voice and seek your face. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.