While You Wait

Numbers 9:15-23 (Click on reference to read text)

There are times in all of our lives where we see the deliverance of the Lord. We are removed from bondage and slavery, but instead of the promised land, we find ourselves wandering around in the desert. Maybe, it is because of a sin in our lives (like the unbelieving Israelites - Hebrews 3:15-19 ) or maybe it is because God needs to mold us and grow us before we can take the promised land. Whatever the reason, we can rest knowing that, not only is He in the desert with us, but He is leading us where He desires us to go.

The Lord made His will clear to Israel by the movement of the cloud and the fire. Moses did not doubt God's directions, no matter how long the cloud lingered in one spot. Moses worked on God's time table, not his own. God's presence never left Israel stranded. They did not always know where they were going or even when they were going, but God's presence remained constant (vs.15).

When we seek the Lord's direction, sometimes He does not always answer right away. I know it is hard, but sometimes God has us camped out in places for a long time. Sometimes it seems like we should be moving, but God keeps us stationary. It is in these times that we must trust the Lord and His timing. Many times throughout this passage it says, "At the Lord's command, they would either go or stay" (vs. 18f). Notice it does not say, "when it seemed best to them, when they got desperate," or "when they got impatient/restless" they moved on. They responded at the Lord's command.

There is one key that we must always remember... whether by day or night, the Israelites were always ready to move (vs. 21). They waited on the Lord, but in a constant state of readiness to follow God whenever He moved. We may be camped out in the desert instead of dwelling in the promised land, but we must seek God faithfully while we are there. We must spend time in His Word, praying, learning the sound of His voice, learning the "feel" of His presence, so when He is ready to move us on, we will know, listen and obey.

While baking away in the desert, don't lose heart... "Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14