A GUIDING PRESENCE

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

"On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's order, in accordance with his command through Moses." Numbers 9:15-23

The people of Israel were counted, organized and spiritually led by the Levites. Now there came the matter of heading from Sinai to Canaan.

Up to this point, the Lord has provided Israel all the guidance they needed to live the way He expected them to live. Now they only needed go where He wanted them to go. To accomplish this, we read in scripture where the Lord used a cloud…but this was no ordinary cloud. It was a Holy Cloud.

Our passage from Numbers, Chapter 9 tells us the divine cloud covered the tabernacle or Tent of the Testimony as a regular cloud during the day but at night changed to look like fire. Imagine the light cast upon the tabernacle every evening by this Holy Cloud of God. His place of worship would never be darkened. The light would always shine upon it.

Our scripture further tells us that when the "cloud lifted from above the Tent", the Israelites would set out and follow it until the "cloud settled" and the Israelites would then encamp there "as long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle". The Israelites would remain encamped until the cloud lifted and then they would move out and follow it. The Lord was guiding every step the people of Israel made and the people were obedient to His lead.

Today, we may not have a cloud that helps lead us from place to place but we do have a Holy Spirit that serves the same purpose...to be a guiding presence for the Lord’s people. Here’s what God’s word tells us about this guiding Spirit:

"…do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit." Mark 13:11

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21

As we go through each day and relate to others, we are always faced with finding the right words to say. What a comfort it is to know that we only need to seek the Lord for the words and the Holy Spirit will speak for us and through us. Keep this in mind as you think about boldly going forth to minister in the Lord’s name. It can be scary if we look at it as if we’re going at it alone. But the truth is that we aren’t going forth alone. Christ assured us that He would be with us even until the end of the age and through the Holy Spirit, He makes good on that promise.

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:25-26

Life is one big learning process and the only way we can stay ahead of the learning curve is to surrender to the teachings of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit illuminates all things, whether when we’re reading the Holy Words in scripture or praying over matters we need help with. All and all, the Lord is always there to guide, teach and lead us, ever reminding us of all that Christ commanded and instructed.

"God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Acts 5:31-32

Have you not felt the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life? Maybe it has been because you have chosen to not be obedient. For the Holy Spirit is always guiding us. Too often, we choose to tune the Spirit out and do out own thing. Our own desires trump the desires of the Lord. The Word is truth friends. Obedient people are not on their own program but rather are consistently led and guided by the Holy Spirit. They are because they choose to surrender their will to the Lord’s.

"So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:6-8

Just as the Holy Spirit empowered the first disciples to take the gospel to all parts of the world, so too are we, His present day disciples, empowered to do likewise. Without the Spirit, we are powerless. With it, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and empowers us by His Spirit…the Spirit he sent to us.

"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Finally, the Holy Spirit helps us guard the good deposit entrusted and implanted within our hearts and minds…the pattern of sound teaching from the faith and love of Jesus, Our Savior. It’s this very deposit that Satan wants to steal away from us and too often succeeds…not because the Holy Spirit fails us but because we fail the Holy Spirit and our Lord. If you were given a treasure of the utmost wealth, I can assure you that you would protect it and guard it with your life. How much more valuable is Jesus Christ than anything this world can offer? Friends, Jesus Christ said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) He is the One and only true Treasure we should cling to…the one and only true Treasure we should place within the very depths of our heart, mind and soul…the very treasure that we are assured the Holy Spirit will help us guard.

The Lord showed in the Old Testament that He was willing to guide and lead Israel toward His will and way for them. All they needed to be was obedient. Nothing has changed today except that we don’t have a cloud to guide us but something even better…the Holy Spirit who leads us always in the ways of Jesus…The Way…The Truth…and The Life…now and forever. Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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