As young kids many of us were trained to obey everything taught by our parents. Usually there were rewards for obedience and consequences for disobedience. As children of the Almighty God, we quickly learned that He had many more commands for us to follow, but it may have been more difficult to see and understand His guidance, rewards and consequences in response to our level of obedience/disobedience. I believe that today God will help us to see how His work among the Israelites is no different to His work among us. Invite God to speak to you personally as you meditate on His Word.
DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-06-09
WRITTEN AT: Orlando, FL
BY: Ed Algreen
SCRIPTURE FROM: Numbers 9:15-18
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)
BIBLE TEXT: 15 When the congregation tent was finally erected and assembled, the cloud of the presence of God covered it and the place where the terms of the covenant were kept. In the dark of night, the presence of God looked like a fire and marked the spot until morning. 16 And so it continued—cloud cover by day, and something like fiery storm clouds at night. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted up, the Israelites would pack up and move, and wherever the cloud stopped, they would settle. 18 This is how the Eternal One indicated when the Israelites should travel and where they should set up camp. As long as the cloud stayed still over the congregation tent, the Israelites also stayed at their tents.
APPLICATION: In today’s environment we see where the strongest nation militarily, and/or financially, receives the attention of other nations not quite as fortunate in these areas. In our churches, I believe that we see where some churches really have a lot going for them in man’s eyes, and the crowds seem to be looking for a church that has a lot going on for children and adults – the whole family structure. But I am convinced that God is still after touching each heart individually and personally, and He is still looking at how well we obey Him and His commands. Finding a good church home is a vital part of seeking to obey God’s commands, because in any good church you will hear God’s Word taught and explained; You will meet fellow believers who will encourage you in your walk with the Lord, and their testimony will convince you that God’s not dead, because you could see where He is alive and well in His people; You will also be given the opportunity to obey God by giving to His ongoing work here on earth through your tithes and offering. Now compare this to what happened with the Israelites: God considered them His chosen people, so when He saw how badly they were being treated in Egypt in slavery, He went to bat for them and not only freed them from the hand of Pharaoh, but made them aware of a Promised Land He had prepared especially for them. Moses was chosen as God’s leader for the Israelites, but because he was mere man, God guided him and gave him great power. In today’s Scripture we are told that the Israelites moved when God told them to – through moving the Cloud from over the congregation tent. But as long as the Cloud remained there, the people obediently stayed there. Can you even imagine how mankind today would react to that? We have numerous denominations today, because every leader had his own ideas and understanding of what God wanted. Do you think for a minute that everyone would stay united waiting for a Cloud to move? I specifically chose this translation for our Scripture today because they had ‘Cloud’ capitalized – to show that it represented God’s presence! Friends, what do you suppose it would take for us to unite as children of the Most High God? As such, we may be apt to join hearts and hands and obey the commands of our God, no matter how insane it may sound to us, and no matter how much we feel our neighbor may disagree with God’s commands. God stayed true to the Israelites because they learned to be obedient to Him and follow His commands. I believe He has a place prepared for us also, and He is anxiously awaiting our arrival. But now while here on earth, we must learn to be obedient to the will of the Father and follow His commands. Can He count on you?
BLESSING(S) NOTED: Just as God led the Israelites all the way from slavery in Egypt to a Promised Land flowing with milk and honey. He has also promised us a land where the streets are made of pure gold. Our job is to obey His commands and place our faith and trust in Him alone! What a mighty God we serve!
PRAYER: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Oh that we would follow in strict obedience to Your commands dear Lord, and learn to trust in You for all things. The Israelites were forced to depend solely on You while in the desert. Thank You for blessing us with jobs, family, friends and everyone else that provides for us daily. But most of all we stand in awe at Your goodness. Thank You for sending Your Son to offer such a sacrifice so that we may one day worship at Your feet and enjoy our heavenly Home that You have prepared for us. Come Lord Jesus come and take us home to be with You and the Father! AMEN!