Corona Devo 347

I have to (shamefully) admit: I am not obeying God's Word.

Maybe it's the altered but ongoing frustration of public/social limitations, or maybe it's my own emotional junk that keeps churning in my heart and mind. Maybe for you it is health, sorrow, pressure or doubt. Maybe it is a lot of things for a lot of us. But there has been a dark cloud parked over my attitude for way-too-long, and I am not dealing well with it.

God's Word comforts us, leads us, and sometimes God's Word shakes us out of our selfish revelry. That's what "heard" as I read Numbers 9 today: The Lord telling me to "Wake up", and live for Him, even while there is a cloud hovering over me.

15 On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. 16 This was the regular pattern—at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. 18 In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle. 19 If the cloud remained over the Tabernacle for a long time, the Israelites stayed and performed their duty to the Lord. 20 Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the Lord commanded. Then at the Lord’s command they would break camp and move on. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on. 22 Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. 23 So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses. ~Numbers 9:15-23

The actual meaning of these verses refers to the Lord's presence becoming visible to the Israelites (in cloud/fire) as they moved through the desert on their way to The Promised Land. They had built God a place of worship (Tabernacle), and when God met them there His presence was visible in the form of a cloud and fire. They lived and moved as the Lord led.

That is what I have been failing at lately. So many of these verses are a reminder and even chastisement to me about getting with it and getting-with-God, regardless of what attitude/circumstance/feeling is hovering over me like a dark cloud.

Through the Israelietes obedience, God gives us an excellent example of how we should behave, even in the midst of life's ominous clouds.

Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. ~Numbers 9:17

Lord, You are the leading, discerning, influential "cloud' over our lives. Regardless of what is infringing on our thoughts, happiness or even well-being--we must follow You. Please give me the strength and attitude to do that today.

In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever he told them to go. ~Numbers 9:18

Lord, even if You are telling us to go where the storm clouds hover, we will obey. You are the Light behind the clouds of this world. You will eventually break through the clouds and we will live in faith today of that moment, which WILL come.

Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle. 19 If the cloud remained over the Tabernacle for a long time, the Israelites stayed and performed their duty to the Lord. ~Numbers 9:18-19

Lord, forgive me for my emotional impatience. I am weak and immature in You. Give me endurance, perseverance and faith like the Israelites. I WILL remain as long as the cloud stays, and I will remain in You.

20 Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the Lord commanded. Then at the Lord’s command they would break camp and move on. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on. 22 Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. ~Numbers 9:20-22

Lord, You are the boss. You are in charge of us and our lives, and regardless of how long the clouds hover (for only a few days...or a year), we are under Your command. Let us "wake up" and live like it today.

So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses. ~Numbers 9:23

Lord, I am tired of myself and "camping out" under my own mood/attitude clouds. Today, we recommit ourselves to You and Your leadership over our lives. Beginning NOW, we will camp or travel at the Lord’s command, and (do) whatever the Lord told them... (Numbers 9:23).

Amen.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/