Read Numbers 9

“Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey. At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses.” (Numbers 9:22–23)

Our journeys are appointed by the LORD. Every child of God is being directed by the Almighty hand, and the body of Christ is being orchestrated together for His divine purposes. We must remember that these are all things, "which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

For the nation of Israel, they were miraculously guided by the pillar which rested above the tabernacle. During the day it appeared as a pillar of cloud. During the night it appeared as a pillar of fire. Just like the gorgeous mountain ranges that take your breath away when you see them, this manifestation of God must have been quite the spectacle!

Imagine being a child, rolling out of your bed in the morning and opening your tent door to see the massive pillar of cloud extending from the tabernacle to the heavens! Incredible! Or falling asleep at night while seeing the flickering glow of the pillar of fire radiating through the walls of your tent fabric. What a reminder! God was with them and guiding them.

“Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139:10)

This passage of Scripture certainly provokes our imagination. And from it we learn two wonderful principles about God’s guidance over our lives.

First, we must understand, there are seasons we are commanded to remain where we are, and there are seasons where we are commanded to get up and go. It's easy to become discontent with the season that God has us in. When we are commanded to stay, we often want to go! And when we are commanded to go, we often want to stay! Ah — human nature is always so discontent, isn't it? But God has appointed each of these seasons for a special purpose. Do not despise it.

Has God called you to stay where you are? Then by all means, stay! Trust the Lord. Don’t move until He tells you to. If you move without Him there will only be conflict and turbulence. Has God called you to move on? Then by all means, pack up and move on! Follow the Lord. Don’t stay where He has left. If you stay, you will find yourself relying on your own strength to endure. We must march to His command!

“Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.” (Psalm 43:3)

Secondly, every season has its appointed time and we must not be presumptuous to think we know its length. Some seasons last only but a few days, while others may last years. The shorter seasons should not be despised because they are short, and the longer seasons must not be despised because they are long. God has timed everything perfectly, and even time itself is not a factor for Him.

Do you trust the Lord’s timing? Do you believe that God is accomplishing His will in this season, regardless of its length? We must trust Him in this, for He alone can see how all things fit together. And we can be assured of this — our greatest joy and happiness comes when we are right where God wants us to be.

Perhaps you’re experiencing a long and drawn out trial. God sees it and understands. Trust Him! Don’t run from Him. Perhaps you feel like the season you’re in has been all too short, knowing that you are being called forward. Trust Him! Don’t rely on your own wisdom, but move on.

God is guiding you, Beloved, and He will surely care for you in each stay and in each step of the way!

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

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