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. (Num 9:22)
Sometimes the direction we need in life gets cloudy. You really need to hear from God on a particular matter but it seems the weather is stormy and you can’t get good reception from heaven. And when you feel you did receive a transmission, the reading you get is somewhat encrypted and you can’t make sense of it.
God gave the wandering Israelites the cloud of His presence to guide them in the wilderness. When it stopped, Israel was supposed to stop and set up camp. When the cloud moved on they were to break camp and follow it. What a great set-up they had. And you might wish for the same kind of guidance yourself. Wouldn’t it be easier to follow a cloud? Why does guidance have to be so foggy sometimes?
To tell you the truth . . . we have something better than a cloud. We have FAITH! The Bible says we are to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). The Israelites walked by sight but we are privileged to walk by faith as we are led by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; Romans 8:14). And as we seek God’s guidance by the Holy Spirit, it has been my experience that these three things must line up to make something a green light:
-THE PEACE OF CHRIST: Do you have peace or do you have an underlying anxious feeling inside? God’s peace must rule at all times. (Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . .
-A SCRIPTURE: Has the Lord given you a scripture promise regarding your situation? (Psa 119:105) Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
-CIRCUMSTANCES LINING UP: You might have peace about something and even be claiming a scripture regarding it but if circumstances aren’t lining up then it’s either a NO or a WAIT. Never open a door God isn’t opening or you’ll be sorry. Best to let God open it in His timing. (Rev 3:7) . . . He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.
I think the greatest key to God’s guidance is WAITING. (Psa 27:14; 37:34) It’s the word we don’t want to hear, do we? But when we are willing to wait for God’s best He never ever disappoints.
So if things are cloudy for you right now don’t worry or be despondent. The Holy Spirit is guiding your life even this moment as you ponder these truths from God’s Word. The Lord will never fail you. He loves you. He has the best in store for you.
Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psa 37:4)
Louie