READING: Numbers 7-9
I’m incredibly grateful God leads His people. He is the Lord who expects us to follow His guidance, who grants us grace to do so, and who lovingly directs and re-directs us when needed. Through His Word, His Spirit, and His people, He leads us today. I could write for hours about ways God has guided Pam and me through the years.
In today’s reading, we learn of God’s leading His people by cloud during the day and fire during the night. That part of the story is itself quite fascinating, but it’s also challenging and convicting to see how the Israelites obeyed. They were hardly always faithful, but today’s text speaks of their obedience at that time: “Whenever the cloud was lifted up above the tent, the Israelites would set out; at the place where the cloud stopped, there the Israelites camped. At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at the Lord’s command they camped” (Num 9:17-18). Apparently, the length of time the cloud remained varied, but the people followed the Lord’s leading no matter how long they had to wait before moving again.
This story ought to remind us that we, too, are to follow the Lord . . . staying when He says “stay,” moving when He commands us to move, and waiting in trust when he says “wait.” Going where God has not led us or ignoring His timing in our lives is a risky step indeed. We must follow Him.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you following God as He has led you?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, thank You for leading us. Help us not to take a step without Your leading.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Numbers 10-13