Saturday, September 10, 2005

Moving With The Cloud

The following devotional by Os Hillman really encouraged me, as I am going through a time similar to the Israelites where I need the guidance of God through the cloud.

Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. ~ Numbers 9:21b
God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, and they had to pass through the desert on their way to the Promised Land. God was their guide by means of a cloud that appeared overhead. When it moved, they moved. When it stopped, they stopped - sometimes a day, a week, even a year. Imagine living with the uncertainty of this situation. One day you work at getting your "house" in order, only to have to pick up the stakes and move. Your ability to plan is totally gone. But even greater is the temptation to move when the cloud did not move because you felt it was time to move. For the Israelites, perhaps the grass was no longer green. Perhaps the water was not easily accessible. Perhaps the bugs were a problem. Whatever the case, they were strictly prohibited from moving if the cloud did not move. It is still the same today. We are not to move unless the Holy Spirit instructs us to do so. We are not to make that business deal on the basis of whether or not it makes sense, but on the leading of the Holy Spirit's "cloud" in our life. It is a difficult process to move only when we are directed, and to remain if we are not. The pressure is always upon us to move, to plan, to act. But if we act, we may move into a place where the presence of God may not be. Hence, the rub. The Christian workplace believer must learn to move when God says move; it is a sign of complete surrender and dependence on God's Spirit to direct our steps.

Lord, am I sitting under Your cloud? Have I moved when You said stand still?

What is your experiences of moving with the cloud personally?

3 comments:

Kel said...

Kitty, this is a hard thing for most of us to take on board. Probably the past 18 months I've been trying to live that way. It goes against everything we are taught about being successful - and most xian's, who should know better - seem quite concerned when you choose to not move until you are sure you are moving in the direction God is leading.

Susan Barnes said...

Yes, it is hard to take on board. Currently I have a relief job and I find that difficult enough as I'm not able to plan as well as I would like. I really don't like "living with uncertainty" even in this small way.

Kitty said...

i agree and can so relate to the Israelites.