Serve the Lord in Waiting
Numbers 9:18 At the Lord 's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord 's order and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord 's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord 's command they encamped, and at the Lord 's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord 's order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
These verses spoke to my heart directly today in such a loving and comforting way after a long period of silence on God's side. I have been trying hard to carry out a couple of plans in my church which I was somewhat convinced that they are according to the Lord's will. But every attempt failed or with no response. I was greatly discouraged. I prayed to the Lord but also got nothing in return. Perplexed and disheartened, I prayed that the Lord will give me the strength to wait on Him. And about two weeks later, today the Lord comforted me in these verses.
The cloud hovering over the tabernacle is a sign for the Lord's timing. Without the Holy Spirit, God's people can only be guided in such an external way. When the cloud remains, they wait. When the cloud lifted, they march on. Seems easy, right? I have always wanted the Lord's will be shown in such obvious way.
But in these verses, I can somewhat sense the bewilderment and confusion lingering in the Israelites' heart. Because they can never predict when and how long the cloud will remain the way it is. Sometimes just a day, sometimes a month, or even longer, without tangible reason. Nobody knows why they should stay when they feel pretty much in the mood of marching on. And it can be frustrating too. Because they probably think the same way I did when everything was stalled. Lord, I want to serve you more! Why don't you open the door for me?
And beloved, listen with a humble heart, for sometimes the best way to serve the Lord is to serve Him in humble stillness and patience.
The cloud hovering over the tabernacle is a sign for the Lord's timing. Without the Holy Spirit, God's people can only be guided in such an external way. When the cloud remains, they wait. When the cloud lifted, they march on. Seems easy, right? I have always wanted the Lord's will be shown in such obvious way.
But in these verses, I can somewhat sense the bewilderment and confusion lingering in the Israelites' heart. Because they can never predict when and how long the cloud will remain the way it is. Sometimes just a day, sometimes a month, or even longer, without tangible reason. Nobody knows why they should stay when they feel pretty much in the mood of marching on. And it can be frustrating too. Because they probably think the same way I did when everything was stalled. Lord, I want to serve you more! Why don't you open the door for me?
And beloved, listen with a humble heart, for sometimes the best way to serve the Lord is to serve Him in humble stillness and patience.
And then I read something in Numbers 10:
35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, "Rise up, Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you."
36 Whenever it came to rest, he said, "Return, Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel."
When we do our best to seek His Face and obey His words, we can rest in His peace. In times of serving and in times of wait, we can have peace, for the Lord our God, is fighting for us, to bring us to our good in all eternity. Amen.
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