LOST IN A FOG OR LED BY A CLOUD?

LOST IN A FOG OR LED BY A CLOUD?

Num 9:15-20

15 And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.

16 So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.

17 And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.

18 At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

20 And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.

What a magnificent sight it must have been to see a “pillar of cloud” hovering over the tabernacle tent. I’m sure, at first, it caused men to stare and study it but after awhile even this became common. The cloud did at least three things for the children of Israel. First it assured them of God’s abiding presence. Next, it told them when to stop and rest. Finally it told them when to move and guided the direction.

Oh, how I sometimes long for a tangible guide. The sheer number of calendar events this season provides is blinding. Even with modern time management tools I’m sure to forget something. One event begins before the first project is finished and yet another crowds in to make demands. I walk about in a fog! How I need a true guide. Perhaps you do too. Here are some things to think about.

1. Spirit leading is for the common believer and not the super-spiritual only!

Rom 8:14

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

It is amazing to think that God is just as interested in the appointments of my day as that of anyone else. Perhaps you think your daily tasks are not sufficiently important to warrant His attention yet He bends near to lead and to provide guidance in every thing.

2. I must be careful not to “grieve” this guiding Spirit!

Eph 4:29-32

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Grieve means “to distress or to make sad” obviously by our responses and our behavior. My wife is my most important life partner and I surely know when I have said or done something to make her sad. Communication is broken and the entire relationship needs to be mended. I must monitor my behavior if I am to expect clear direction from the Lord.

3. The Holy Spirit is a “pledge” – a promise!

Eph 1:13-14

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The word “earnest” means a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest. When we trusted Christ we were immediately sealed with the Holy Spirit and this is the down payment for all that God will one day give to us. If we have the Spirit we will surely have the remainder of God’s blessings.

Dear Lord, clear away the fog of confusion that darkens my way today. Guide me clearly by your spirit. AMEN