In Exodus, God led His people and protected them with
a cloud and pillar of fire.
They could see His presence and knew His guidance.
When they built the Tabernacle,
the cloud and pillar of fire rested above it.
On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. This was the regular pattern—at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle. Numbers 9: 15-18
If -in the Old Covenant-
God provided clear direction through cloud and fire,
How much more can we expect guidance when
WE ARE the temple.
The Holy Spirit is inside of us. 1 Cor. 6:19
We should expect to hear from the LORD.
We should move or stay at His Word.
Obedience has always been the core and prerequisite for hearing.
Same for us.
God has given His Word.
That is the basis; starting point; foundation for obedience
and for direction in your life.
Reading and obeying scripture position us for His voice.
Just like Moses - as described in Numbers 7:89
Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.
Moses positioned himself to hear.
The Spirit is in us, if Jesus is our LORD,
but we must give Him our attention
through our obedience and study.
And with the freedom Jesus has given
for us to enter His presence and have these conversations,
we can't lose the awe of this privilege.
In Numbers, we learn preparation and atonement were required
and Moses had exclusive rights.
Everyone else watched - from a distance-
as Moses could enter the LORD's presence.
But now-through Jesus-we can all talk and hear.
Stop and listen to the Word of the LORD
and expect to hear.
Expect His guidance.
Expect revelation for your life.
But - listen as Moses.
Check your heart and motives.
Listen -
just to hear His voice.
Stop -
just to be in His presence.
Ask what He wants -
only because you want what He wants.
And
only because you want to be where He is.
That was the heart of Moses.
And that is why he was a friend of God.
Through these stories
we learn God's faithfulness.
We learn that He wants to lead us
and provide for us.
We learn that He wants to talk to us -
like a friend.
Because of Jesus
I can be a friend of God.
God speaks to me.
Barriers are broken.
The temple is not a building.
Obedience is not a chore.
God is not distant - not vague - not illusive.
Do you want the cloud for your day?
Do you rest under the fire at night?
Do you really want to let Him be the guide?
If you do -
He leads.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
John 16:13
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
Psalm 25:4-10
Comments