Read: Exodus 39-40
Focus Verse: “In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.” (40:36-38).
Devotion: In all their travels. Israel was in a rhythm where they literally followed God wherever God led them. Wow! How often do we, or I, want to move before God has set out? Should we be in a practice of pumping the breaks to double check God is going a certain direction? Sometimes I feel the opposite, God is already going and I might get left behind. For us though, God isn’t leading as a cloud of smoke. For us we need to learn how to listen for God. It takes a lot of stillness, a lot of reading scripture, and a lot of prayer. But the more we do that, the more we become aware to see when it’s time to set out and when it’s time to stay.
Pray: LORD help me to follow, or stay, help me to be where You are God, always keeping You as what guides my life. Amen!
Additional Scripture: “I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)