“33 They set out from the mountain of the Lord on a three-day journey with the ark of the Lord’s covenant traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. 34 Meanwhile, the cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.
35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say:
‘Arise, Lord!
Let Your enemies be scattered,
and those who hate You flee from Your presence.’
36 When it came to rest, he would say:
‘Return, Lord,
to the countless thousands of Israel.'”
Numbers 10:33-36
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There’s a little part of me that would enjoy having this happen everyday. Wake up in the morning, there’s a pillar of cloud there next to me in my house, and God would guide me through my day. Every time He wanted me to do something or go somewhere, He would physically guide me to do what ever He wanted me to do. There would be no wondering, no guesswork.

But then that wouldn’t be faith. That wouldn’t require discipline or even love. It would simply be an almost robotic following, no heart needed.

And, obviously, this is not God’s desire. It was necessary for this young nation as they were learning to follow Him for the first time. They didn’t understand faith, they didn’t have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And so they moved as God moved, heeding His very obvious command and direction.

As we follow God today, our hearts bearing His Spirit if we are immersed into Christ, we have no need for the Ark of the Covenant or a pillar of cloud or fire. We would enjoy the physical manifestation of God, but it simply wouldn’t be faith. We must learn instead to be still, listen and follow God according to His Word. We must learn to listen to the whisper of His Spirit. He is our guide still today, but the ‘how’ has changed.

A life lived in faith, following Him, is a life that takes His call to GoLove seriously, and we know that our faith-walk with Him serves as a sign to others as well as an encouragement to ourselves. Our walk, Christ at work in us, is our pillar and sign. It is better than a physical indicator, because the Spirit of God isn’t just leading before us, but within us, and that is a rich, deep blessing beyond our understanding but still meant for our blessing and joy.