Exodus 40:34–38 ‘If the cloud did not lift, they did not set out – until the day it lifted.’ (v37)
One of the hardest things about following Jesus is resting, when we want to ‘go’! Often it seems as if life has come to a full stop.
In the wilderness, the Israelites were completely dependent on the God who had brought them out of Egypt to lead them and protect them in the perilous journey to the Promised Land.
In the same way, we are dependent on God to lead us in the paths of His choosing, once we surrender ourselves to Christ.
How often our prayers are more like us telling God what we want, and expecting Him to rubberstamp them, when we really need to fully rely on Him, expecting Him to lead us through doors He will open, in His time.
The gracious provision of God in His manifest presence is awesome to read about; a great pillar of cloud during the day, fire at night, a constant reminder that He was with His chosen people, and that they need always to look to Him for guidance.
His ‘glory’ (v34) filled the tabernacle of God in the wilderness, representing His presence with them. When Jesus came to earth, God lived among humanity in a new way (John 1:14).
Today, we need to trust His Holy Spirit to guide us; His presence is with us, in His Spirit. Let’s cultivate a relationship with the Spirit so that we are attentive to His voice saying ‘stop’ and ‘go’, so that like the Israelites of old, we don’t run ahead of God, and out of His will. After all, God’s full stops are very often commas. We need to trust Him that He knows the right way for us to take.
A Prayer To Make:
‘Lord, You are always with me, and You know Your plans for my life. Help me to walk in the paths of Your choosing, and to wait for You to lead me in them. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
We may not see the manifestation of the glory of God, but He lives in us, as believers. Pick a favourite hymn or worship song and praise Him today.
Scripture To Consider:
Exod. 13:1–22; 2 Chron. 5:2–14; Acts 2:1–13; Rev. 15:1–8
