Old Testament: Numbers 9
Poetry: Job 8
New Testament: Acts 22
My college kids and I just completed a 2100 mile spring break trip with Apple Maps guiding the way – telling us when to turn, when to go straight and when to reroute. The Israelites preparing to set out into the wilderness missed out on this modern technology, but they had something so much better.
They had been camped out in the region of Sinai and it had now been two years since they had left Egypt. During this time they were learning God’s commands and learning what happens when you break them. Also, the tabernacle was being built and furnished and set up so God would have a dwelling amongst them, even during their coming travels to the Promised Land.
But, without maps (print or digital) how would they know where to go? I enjoyed what Kyle McClain had to say about their direction system in his March 4, 2021 devotion for SeekGrowLove, so I will share that here:
“Truth be told, there are a ton of events recorded in the Bible that would be flat out awesome to see firsthand! Of all the awesome things to see, Numbers chapter 9 records one of the top 10 things that I would have liked to have witnessed firsthand – maybe top 5. That awesome thing recorded is the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites where to go at night. During the day, a pillar of cloud guided them, but at night it had the appearance of fire. How cool would it be to see the pillar of fire in the sky at night?! I would say top 10 throughout the whole Bible! Our God is incredible, and he is capable of some awesome feats.
I don’t think many of us are going to be led by a pillar of cloud or fire. However, similar to the Israelites, we can and should still be guided by God. There’s a very good chance that the guidance that God provides you will not be as obvious as the pillar of cloud or fire. Therefore, we really need to be in tune with God and keep our eyes, ears, heart, and mind open to His guidance. There are a number of ways in which God can lead us, so we should be ready at all times. If we are actively seeking God’s guidance, then we are much more likely to see it. That has to do with our Reticular Activating System in our brains. If you don’t know what that is, then look it up on Google or YouTube. You’ll be amazed.
I would encourage you all to pray to God to help you become susceptible to God’s guidance. You may be surprised with all the ways that God attempts to guide you.”
Also in Numbers 9 we see Moses setting a great example of what to do when we are unsure of how to proceed and don’t know what God wants us to say or do. Some Israelites asked Moses if they were able to celebrate the Passover because they were unclean at the time (had recent contact with a dead body). Moses wasn’t sure. God hadn’t told him, yet. Instead of making up something on the spot that sounded smart at the time, Moses said, “Wait until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you” (Numbers 9:8). And God rewarded Moses’ wisdom by giving His answer.
What do you do when you don’t know where to go or when to go and when to stay? Seek direction from the Lord! When you don’t know the answer, like Moses, wait until you find out from the Lord. And what do you do as you wait? I do not recall any time I have received direction from God while I am watching the latest tv show or scrolling on my phone. However, I have lost count of the number of times I have received God’s direction while reading from His Word. His answers are there for your life, too. Faithfully stay in His Word, following His guidance system.
-Marcia Railton and Kyle McClain
Reflection Questions
- What do you do when you don’t know where or when God wants you to go or stay or say or do?
- When have you received God’s direction in your life? Did you follow it?
- What do we also learn from Paul in our Acts reading today about following God’s direction?
Seek Grow Love 