UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNAL OF THE LORD

Numbers 9:16-18,23

This was the regular pattern—at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire.

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.

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.

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

The children of Israel had to wait for the Lord's signal to know when to move forward or when to tarry.

The cloud over the tabernacle was the sign to tarry, once the cloud was lifted they could move ahead.

Sometimes it could take as much as a year before the received the instruction to move ahead, they just had to wait!

Numbers 9:22

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.

No wonder they spent as much as forty years for the journey!

This is how the people that walk with God operates, they must understand the sign, to know when to move and when to tarry.

At the Lord's command they move!

Understand that when the Lord commands that you move, it means that He has cleared the path for you.

No wonder Moses said:

Exodus 33:15

Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.

There is a need for the Lord to direct His own, so that they do get into trouble.

As believers we must understand the signals of the Lord. We cannot be too fast that we miss the signal of the Lord or too slow that we become relaxed and yet miss the signal of the Lord.

Christ said: 

Matthew 24:42

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

The believer is conscious in the Spirit, always alert to the seasons, listening to understand what the Lord expects from them for each season.

The signals will vary, however the spirit will receive the same urge, we must be perceptive to know that the Lord is calling our attention.

The Spirit does not only tell you when to go, He also lets you know when you cannot go.

Acts 16:7

Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there.

It is a daily leading for the child of God. The psalmist records:

Psalms 37:23

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. 

He delights in every detail of their lives.

The urge could be a slight prompting, it could be a delay or anything at all, but what is important is that our attention is drawn to that which the Lord is bringing to our attention and then take appropriate action.

Remember those temporary supposed lapses that saved you from one trouble or the other. What of those times you thought you had been disappointed but it was actually a blessing in disguise.

No wonder Paul recorded:

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

May we always be conscious of the Lord's leading through His Spirit, to know when to keep going, when to tarry or when to change direction. We will save ourselves so much trouble.

Help us Good Lord.

PRAYER

Dear Father may I always be attentive to You, that I will be led by You in all I do. You see the future from the beginning, You make the way for me. Glory to Your name Lord.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher