15
Dec '18
God’s “Provisioning” System (GPS)
15
Dec '18
Yes, many of us may remember the days long ago of the AAA (Triple A) Maps and MapQuest, but most of us are now used to current technology and our Global Positioning System (GPS) app on our phone that simply tells us what to do to get to where we need to go (no, it’s not really to tell us “the time to beat!”). Our GPS basically tells us which direction to go when we are in unfamiliar territory and need guidance.
So, how can we relate this analogy to our own life? Can you think of a time in your life where you had NO idea which way to go? (We’re talking actual “life” now, not driving south on I-75.) I know I have; I’ve been there (I would guess that we all have)! When we get in these seasons, we just wish we had a GPS to tell us which way to go, so we can get to our next destination in one piece (and quickly!). We don’t want a detour – we just want to go straight to where we need to be so we can continue living life happy and healthy. We don’t want to deal with speed bumps, trains, traffic control devices displaying “red”, or the dreaded traffic jam – and we definitely don’t want to deal with flat tires or engine issues that have us not moving anywhere anytime soon. All of those things would derail our plans!!! (Note I said “our plans”, not “God’s plans”).
I don’t think I have to spell it out for you – you get it. Yes, we have plans. We’re just smooth sailing along with our plans in tow. We all have these plans that we just get comfortable sailing along, and when the occasional “flat tire” comes along, we find ourselves stuck, hurt, worried, or even angry. Sometimes plans fall down in mid-flight and many times we don’t see it coming. We don’t expect our well laid out plans to fail, and when they do we question “WHY!?”. Well, the good news is, God knows why.
So, let’s take a look at the Israelites who were trying to get to the promised land. They set up a Tabernacle, where there was a cloud that covered it. This cloud was the Lord’s command. In Numbers 9:15-18 NLT it states“On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. This was the regular pattern – at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the LORD’s command wherever He told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle.”
So, the Israelites had a GPS through God in the form of a cloud! As we read in Numbers, sometimes the cloud would only be over the Tabernacle overnight, other times a few days, and sometimes up to a year or more. (What?!? That’s a long time to be in one spot when you’re not sure where you’re even going, or where you’ll to end up next!) This, however, taught the Israelites NOT to get comfortable where they were – as they never knew when the cloud was going to move them, or even where it was going to rest. Sometimes we get so complacent and comfortable in our situations, we’re not willing to change or move forward. No life progress. “Stuck”.
“Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the LORD commanded. Then at the LORD’s command they would break camp and move on. Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on”. (Numbers 9:20-22 NLT)
Wherever the cloud went, it would show them that God would be there to guide them (their modern day “GPS”). As long as they relied on the cloud, they knew they would get to their destination safely. In the same way, we need to rely on the fact that God will be there with us. No, we may not have an actual “cloud” over our heads directing us like the Israelites, but we do have the Holy Spirit guiding us along our path – He’s on the inside. He wants us to prioritize Him in our lives and TRUST that He is going to guide us where we need to go. He often times takes us into unfamiliar terrain so we realize that we shouldn’t depend on our circumstances – we should depend on the Holy Spirit. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, He’s going to direct us where we need to go next, so we make it safely to our destination. What does He have next in our lives? We don’t know, as we haven’t been to the future, but we know the One who has. We don’t have to know the future when we know the One who is already there. Surrender it. Allow God to have it all. After all, if God is in it, every (yes, EVERY) situation is a setup for something good (even if it feels like something bad at the time – give it a minute to rest. God will change things and make them even better).
I know I trust my situation and I trust my God who created it. I know my God, and I know He is able. I can find solace knowing He’s already been to my tomorrow, next week, and next year.The molding and stretching He has me doing in this life isn’t always fun, but I grow closer to Him in the process every single time (which is His plan all along). So, I’m trusting the situation and the season God has me in now – even if I’m currently in a detour, or waiting for ducklings to (slowly and erratically) cross the road in front of me. I can roll my eyes all I want being “impatient”, but when it comes down to it, I know He has me “stuck” in this season for a purpose and I’m not moving forward until I learn what it is I need to learn. So I’ve decided to just TRUST HIM and learn it!!
As the Lord spoke “They camped or traveled at the LORD’s command, and they did whatever the LORD told them through Moses.” (Numbers 9:23 NLT).
In the same regard, we must learn to “camp” or “travel” at the LORD’s command, using “God’s Provisioning System (GPS)”. It’s only then that we will get to the perfect destination, at the perfect time, for the most perfect reason(s).
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*Dena*
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This was a very timely and encouraging post. Sometimes we all just need a gentle reminder that God is in control and we don’t have to make it on our own. And that our trials are not in vein. Thank you for sharing the word of the Lord.
Thanks Leigh. Glad this encouraged you today – and yes, we all need gentle reminders at times. It’s easy to forget “we’re” not in control – He is. Hugs, Dena