God spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron, Install the seven lamps so they will throw light in front of the Lampstand” (Numbers 8:1-2 The Message)
Imagine our legs and feet are those lampstands. Imagine God’s light, lighting right beyond our feet. The Light of the world is lighting our path. We are just as beautiful in God’s eye as those lampstands were. He shines His light on His beautiful creations. And we are just that! He shows us the path to use. If we stay on His path, it will lead us straight into eternity.
The difference between now and then is that God was leading the Israelites as a whole and my walk is individualized. But it is still the same, I need to have my focus directed on the cloud just as the Israelites did.
When the Cloud lifted above the Tent, the People of Israel marched out; and when the Cloud descended the people camped. The People of Israel marched at God’s command, as long as the Cloud was over the Dwelling, but the moment God issued orders they marched. If the Cloud stayed only from sunset to daybreak and then lifted at daybreak, they marched. Night or day, it made no difference—when the Cloud lifted, they marched. It made no difference whether the Cloud hovered over the Dwelling for two days or a month or a year, as long as the Cloud was there, they were there. And when the Cloud went up, they got up and marched at God’s command. They lived obediently by God’s orders as delivered by Moses. (Numbers 9:17-23 The Message)
Personally, I think it would be easier to do something if it is what everyone else is doing. The Israelites were all in one accord. It is true that God wanted Israel to stand out and be different from the rest of the world, and He requires it for me also. But the only problem is that today, the world is so mixed up with a variety of people, and I still want to follow after the crowd. Unfortunately, the crowd is not moving towards God but away from God, so I have to go against the flow. Like a salmon swimming upstream. It is hard to move towards God when the current keeps knocking me backwards. I am not saying Israel had it easier, I am saying that both now, and then, one thing remains constant, if I am going to be strong enough to swim up steam, I will have to do the daily exercise required to build my faith and my determination. I will need to keep my eye on the cloud!
The sons of Aaron, the priests, are in charge of blowing the bugles; it’s their assigned duty down through the generations. When you go to war against an aggressor, blow a long blast on the bugle so that God will notice you and deliver you from your enemies. Also, at times of celebration, at the appointed feasts and New Moon festivals, blow the bugle over your Whole-Burnt-Offerings and Peace Offerings: they will keep your attention on God. I am God, your God (Numbers 10:9-10 The Message)
The trumpet works both ways. It keeps God’s eyes on his people, and it keeps his people’s attention on God. It is truly amazing how God provides little things to help us have great advantage in our walk. It is also truly amazing that He is my God, and not afraid to say so.
Dear Most Heavenly Father, I don’t know how I could walk this earth without you. Your ways are higher and way better than anything this world has to offer. I choose to follow your cloud even when it is hard. Please help me daily to honor you with my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Carol (carolvorwe)
Sixty-six books in a year 