“On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning. So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped. At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the Lord they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not set out. 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. 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. Whether it was two days, or 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. 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.” Numbers 9:15-23
Imagine the fastidious and tiresome work of setting up and taking down and transporting the tabernacle, all at the whim of Israel’s God. No schedule, no pattern, no notice of when they would next move. No accounting for the time and effort it took. The important thing was to watch the cloud, because God’s presence meant everything. When He moved, they moved; when He settled, they settled. There was no going or doing if He was not in it. They would keep His charge, and He would keep them. (Exodus 33:15-16)
And imagine if we, too, were committed to the same charge, if we dared not go out into the day and fray without the Lord’s lead, if we tended to our tasks with excellence and shifted only at His prompting. Imagine being so fully dependent on His presence we wouldn’t set forth without His light and would do so trusting His purpose, even if we knew not where we were going. This way. Wait. Now that way. Tend to every detail for My honor.
Are we so ready, or are we too entrenched in agendas and overcommitment? Have we made available our time and fitness for God’s flexibility? Do we brood over personal urgent concerns more than looking unto Jesus for His cloud to stay or move, and joyfully investing in each opportunity He brings?
“Where You go, I’ll go
Where You stay, I’ll stay
When You move, I’ll move
I will follow You
Who You love, I’ll love
How You serve I’ll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow You.” ~Chris Tomlin (2010)
Lord, may I conscientiously be about Your business, trust Your powerful presence, and magnify Your grace and glory.
As the rain and snow 