Steps and Stops

"When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out." Numbers 9:19

The children of Israel had been told to watch the cloud for guidance. But there were also times when the cloud indicated that they were to wait.

The wilderness was not the most delightful place in which to wait. The barrenness of the dessert was not inviting. Waiting in itself is not easy. Regardless of their strength and eagerness to start out again, regardless of their impatience to be on the way, the Israelites did not move until God, by means of the could, direct them to do so. It may not have been difficult to wait a short time. But in the above verse of Scripture we read that they had to wait "a long time." This was no doubt difficult. It was the test of their obedience.

Sometimes we are kept waiting, too. We may be in the midst of heartaches, of problems, of trails, of temptations when we see the could stop and wait. Sometimes our waiting is for a short period. We may, on the other hand, be kept waiting for a long time. but we dare not move until He moves us.

There are times when we seem to settled in a comfortable place. We are happy and contented. Suddenly the could begins to move. We may not want to move, yet we will have His blessing only if we willingly move with His cloud.

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm." Psalm 37:23

Both the steps and and the stops of our lives are ordered by the Lord. The important thing is for us to follow where He leads.

By Millie Stamm, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"