Day 19 in the Wilderness: Move with the cloud.

“Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭40:36-38‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In terms of attitude toward change, I have observed that people generally fall into one of three different categories.

First, there are the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” people. Full disclosure: I fall in this category. I am definitely not a “latest and greatest” oriented person. I like sameness, consistency, and yes, at times, I have tended to be compulsive toward that end. People who fall into this category tend to err in the direction of staying with something when its time is over. The favorite scripture for this group is:

“For I am the Lord, I do not change;”

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3:6‬a NKJV‬‬

Secondly, there are people who never seem content unless things are constantly changing or they are constantly doing something different. They definitely are more oriented toward a “what’s the newest thing going on?” philosophy. Those who fall into this category often will make change just for change’s sake, and can do so impulsively. For these people, the tendency to err is in the direction of making a move they never should’ve made, or doing something they never should’ve done, or buying something they never should’ve bought, and so on, just because they wanted a change. For these folks, the favorite scripture is:

“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬a NKJV‬‬

The third group of people consists of those who are content with the way things are, but are also open to change, when it is needed. You might say these people are more flexible. They are rarely impulsive, but are also not reticent to change, when warranted. Because these people don’t base their actions on either the need for sameness no matter what, or the need for change no matter what, there’s rarely big mistakes to have to clean up or trouble resulting from sticking with something when its time was over. This group would like this scripture:

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it;”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:21a‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

OK, I’m sure you realize my reference to the “favorite scriptures” for these groups is tongue-in-cheek. So what is my point?

In reading the rest of each of those scriptures you will find that the Lord is the same concerning His word/covenant/promises.

“For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

At the same time, the Lord can meet the requirements of any circumstance and do what has never been seen before.

“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Additionally, He enables us to remain when we need to remain, or move when we need to move (and in what direction!) by the voice of His Holy Spirit.

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Today we see explanation concerning the movement of the children of Israel over their 40 years in the wilderness.

When they were directed to move, by the moving of the cloud, they moved. When they were directed to stay, by the hovering of the cloud, they stayed. We receive further insight into this behavior In the book of Numbers.

“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 ‭NKJV‬‬

Our peace is not dependent on whether things are staying the same, or whether things are always changing; our peace is dependent upon following the leading of the Holy Spirit. God knows what you need to do and when you need to do it. We should not be driven by impulse nor paralyzed by fear. Rather, as the children of Israel did in their 40 year journey, we must look to the Lord for whether we stay or go, whether we change or remain the same.

For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:

Move with the cloud.

#40daysinthewilderness