Daily Dose 2-15-12

Exodus 40: 36-38 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

Many of us seeking direction read this passage with a bit of jealousy. What would it be like to look out the window when you wake, to see the cloud moving to tell you it’s time to make a change? We long for physical, tangible signs that show us God’s will and His best direction for our lives. While the Israelites had this powerful sign for direction, they still wandered in the wilderness for forty years with the original generation never seeing the Promised Land. Even with this incredible presence, they were still stubborn and disobedient. Our cloud and pillar of fire is contained in God’s Word. We are blessed to have it within our reach, even at our fingertips on the computer or our phones. Yet, how often do we reference it? Just as the cloud and fire was mysterious, God’s indwelling of His Holy Spirit in us sometimes seems cryptic. Learning to truly hear from God takes practice. When you spend time in the Word and prayer, God is able to be your cloud by day and pillar by night. From experience, we can see when we felt convicted and acted on that conviction, we found peace. When we act in obedience, we see His blessing. When we rebel in defiance, we know His discipline. When we look back at God’s past provisions and directions, we see His direction for the present and promise for the future. Are you looking for direction? Pick up the Word and see the cloud; kneel before Him in submitted prayer and the pillar of fire will be your light. The God that guided the Israelites out of bondage isn’t hiding His direction from you – He’s waiting for you to seek Him!

Father, I look back on my life and see the times I so boldly knew Your direction. Give me Your insight fresh and new. Help me to be still before You so I know where to move with You! I love You! Amen