Monday, March 24, 2014

Numbers 9 - When God Moves You

The Israelites had a wonderful GPS system. Their turns and their directions mapped out by God himself as he directed them by cloud. At the end of this chapter we see that "whether the could stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's order in accordance with His command through Moses. (Num 9:22-23). 

Whenever I am faced with a decision, it is nice to have clear direction and to know I am following the Lord's direction for me. While I do not have a personal cloud to guide me, I do have His word and I am fortunate to belong to a body of believers, a church where we are challenged not only to dig into the word, but to apply it as well. Many of my decisions are made in advance as I study the principles God presents. They prepare me for moves I may be called to make in the future. 

There are barriers to honoring God's commands that I am challenged to remove as I study. For instance we see in this chapter that the people had to be ready to move at a moments notice. When God said "go" they went. All too often our love of the world ties us in such a way that we cannot move when God calls us to change work or even locations of service. 

Too many of us are bound by debt that keeps us from moving when God directs. This debt often ties us to employment where we don't thrive because of the tainted working environment. We know we don't belong there, but we cannot afford to change.  Some of us have too much of ourselves invested in that pension plan to sever ties. The reward for bearing with less than God's best is too great. 

Moves take us into unknown territory and too many of us have such weak faith to consider walking into the inknown so we stay when God calls us to move. Others of us are so eager to move, that we go before God leads. We take off in our own direction imagining that we can do things for ourselves. 

Here are some principles from this chapter that we can apply:

1.  Leave at God's time:  the people were prepared to leave when God directed and to stay when He remained. No matter when God directed (day or night) they obeyed. 

2.  Stay close:  the people were always where God was. We need to keep a close walk with The Lord considering His word daily and fellowshipping (prayer and praise) regularly. 

3.  Obey: our providence is tied to our obedience. We can trust that when we follow God's command, it will always brig about God's best. Our own reasoning can get us into trouble. 

Where is God calling you to serve?  It may be a workplace, but it could also be in your home, your neighborhood or within your church. God has a plan and a purpose for each of us. Can we be about God's purpose for us today?

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him. 

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