Good Morning!
I feel like Bob Cratchit
from Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol this morning … when he was late
for work after celebrating too much on Christmas day. I had a little too much Thanksgiving. But I did enjoy the day. And Heather and I worked together to have
everything ready right on time. Even
little Cozy (that’s how she spells her name, by the way) helped … reminding me
to make a list of what needed to be done … even to the lighting of the Mawmaw
candle on the table centerpiece. The day
was full. Around six in the evening, Heather and her friend, Marvin caught me “nodding”
on the couch.
Nodding is when a person falls
asleep while just sitting. Grandma Ward often
nodded in the afternoons. I remember
watching her rocking in her rocking chair, chin slowly falling towards her
chest as she slipped away into a quick nap. She was always busy, taking care of
her sister, cousins and, of course, us three.
Her day began early and ended late … even into her mid-eighties. Her attitude of serving others was passed on
to her children … Mom, Aunt Jane and Aunt Bette were all hard workers, taking
care of people. And my siblings and
cousins exhibit the same trait … constantly taking care of others first. Grandma’s legacy continues even until this
day. And I see this trait being carried
on in my own children … a testimony to all that have gone before … especially
to my Miss Norma.
So, after her work was
done, Grandma would nod off while resting. So do I … very frequently nodding off while
watching TV.
Grandma Ward led her children
… which is a good transition to today’s thoughts regarding the Bible study this
coming Lord’s Day. We begin a new study
in the book of Numbers. I admit that the
book of Numbers is one of what I call “yawners”. I start to read a passage … and find myself
losing concentration pretty quickly. I
don’t know why … that’s just what happens.
So, having a few weeks of study in the book is going to be very helpful
for me. Of course, the writers of the
Bible study literature skip all the way to chapter 9 in their first
session. But, the lesson is good …
entitled “God Leads” with the Scripture coming from verses 15-23:
Numbers
9:15-23 English Standard Version (ESV)
The
Cloud Covering the Tabernacle
15 On the day that the
tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the
testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance
of fire until morning. 16 So it was always: the
cloud covered it by day[a] and the appearance
of fire by night. 17 And whenever the
cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out,
and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel
camped. 18 At the command of
the Lord the people of
Israel set out, and at the command of the Lord they
camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in
camp. 19 Even when the cloud
continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the
charge of the Lord and
did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was a
few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the Lord they remained in camp; then
according to the command of the Lord they
set out. 21 And sometimes the cloud
remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning,
they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted
they set out. 22 Whether it was two days,
or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle,
abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out,
but when it lifted they set out. 23 At the command of
the Lord they camped,
and at the command of the Lord they
set out. They kept the charge of the Lord,
at the command of the Lord by
Moses.
Footnotes:
Numbers 9:16 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew lacks by
day
Three quick points for us
to consider …
·
God makes His PRESENCE
known. The people of Israel were in the
wilderness with Moses leading. We aren’t
just talking about a few folks … we are talking about literally millions … so
many that Pharaoh was afraid of the number of people. Think about the difficulty Moses had in leading
these people … on foot, without the benefit of communication systems … just
passing instructions from person to person. Moses found out early the need for the people
to feel they had a leader available … when he returned to find them worshipping
a golden calf. God provided the
Israelites a focal point so they would be assured that He was present … a cloud
by day, a fire by night. God does the same
for us … with the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
·
God puts this
focal point into PRACTICE. In verses 17
through 22, we see how God led the people … when the cloud moved, the people
moved. When the cloud stayed still, the people rested. The point here is that God knows when we need
to move and when we need to rest.
Sometimes we forget to rest. We
get so caught up in service, we exhaust ourselves. We need to be conscious of the Holy Spirit’s
guidance in our lives … and rest a little bit … nod off, so to speak.
·
God gives us a
simple PRINCIPLE to understand. It comes
down to two words: obey God. Moses was an
important figure in the process of Israel’s journey to the Promised Land … but Moses
was not the ultimate leader. God was …
and is for us as well. Sometimes we can
get caught up following a human … like a very successful preacher or teacher,
like a Billy Graham or a Charles Stanley.
What we need to realize is that God is our ultimate leader … giving each
of us the gifts and talents to lead.
God never nods off …
keeping us by day and by night. And I
find that encouraging as we face this new day.
God bless each one of you this good day.
Agape’
Mr. Jim
Prayer: “He leadeth me, O blessed thought …” is
so comforting to me this good day, dear Father God. Thank You for leading me from point to point
in my earthly journey. Help me to see
Your leadership even today … and to obey You so that my footsteps will honor
You. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.
Scripture for today: Numbers 9:15-23
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