Is God Your GPS?

November 5, 2015 by Courtney Leave a Comment

In Numbers chapters 1-5, we see how God organized the Israelite camp so the Tent of Meeting was at the center of the camp.  God’s presence was visible to the Israelites in the form of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Numbers 9:18 & 22 say:

 18 At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the Lord they camped.

22 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.

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That is just so awesome – who needs a GPS when you have God literally leading every move.

When God moved – the people moved.

When God was still.  God’s people were still.

It was as simple and as hard as that!  God did not ask the leaders if they were ready nor could they predict when God would move.  Most likely, the priests and Levites assigned people to keep watch day and night so they would know when the pillar was moving.

Then in Numbers chapter 10, we see the Lord telling Moses to make 2 trumpets.  Moses was to use these trumpets to signal a gathering of the leaders, to signal a gathering of all of the people together or to sound an alarm for the soldiers to prepare for battle.

Do you see the two things God’s people were to do?

1. Watch.

2. Listen.

Are we keeping watch and listening in our own lives?

Are we keeping our eyes focused on God to see when He moves?

Are we listening to His commands?

Are we following closely behind Him?

Are we walking with the King?

The Israelites not only moved when God moved but they also were still when God was still.

There are times when God wants us to move forward in our lives but there are also divine times of resting and waiting that God has for us.

I must admit – the times of resting and waiting can be the hardest for me. I just want God to get moving!  But God knows our needs and he knows that between times of activity, we need rest.  The Israelites did not run up ahead of God or lag behind God.

They walked with the King!

Oh how I wish I had a visible cloud and pillar of fire to follow.  It feels like it would be much easier to know what to do next. But may we never forget, we have been given 3 things:

1.)  Jesus – the light of the world!
2.) The Holy Spirit within us.
3.) The Word of God to guide us.

We are so blessed!

So perhaps it’s not the pillar of cloud and fire we need…but it’s the watching and the listening we need to work on in our lives.

I made a video last April that talks about “5 Ways to Determine God’s Will”.  It’s very applicable to today’s reading, so if you have not seen it yet – please listen below.

There is one final {exciting} note I have to share because it’s just too exciting not to share!

In Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus tells his disciples to watch for His return.

Then in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 it says:

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Just as the Israelites had to watch and listen for the trumpets – we too as God’s children, are to be watching and listening for the trumpet sound of the Lord’s return.  When he returns the final trumpet will sound and OH what a glorious day that will be!

Keep watching and keep listening.

Keep waiting.

The Lord will return!

Like the Israelites, we are not home.  We are just passing through this world on our way toward home in glory – but until then, may we follow God’s direction wherever He leads us.

Keep Walking with the King,

Courtney

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Is God your GPS?  Are you in a season of moving or waiting?

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