Following God…..

Am I in God’s will? Am I doing the right thing? Lord, what job shall I take? Does God even hear me? How can I hear from God to get the answers I need?

Common questions. I have asked the very same questions over and over again. It is human nature to want to know the future. What a comfort it would be instantly lead on a day to day basis. Or would it?

In the Old Testament, the Israelites followed the cloud, the Lord, in the desert. Now here they knew for certain, that they were following God. In fact, they were led for every single moment. But picture this scenario…..

A family is settling in because the cloud has stopped moving. They unpack. Set up the tent. Make a fire pit. Put away all their belongings. But wait….the cloud has started moving again….hey, everybody….start packing. Let’s go..go…go!

I wonder what questions might the Israelites had asked….

Where are we going now? How long will we travel before we stop again? Why do we stay in one location for three days then the next for three months? Will we stop somewhere that has shade? When we do stop, how long will we stay at that destination? Where will our water come from? Should I continue to follow this cloud that does not seem to be taking us anywhere? Hey, where is this promised land? Are we there yet? No?…How long till we get there? I see the cloud but is God really in it? Where is that Moses when you really need him? 

Have the times or questions really changed that much since 1446 B.C., the time of the Exodus?

It is not indicated in scripture that the Israelites were given any answers to these questions. They were to just follow the cloud when it moved.  What a miracle to led by God by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. Yet with all the miracles, like the parting of the Red Sea, and visual leadings they still complained bitterly about their circumstances. And they had no faith.

Is this really how you want to be led by God? By a cloud?  It gives us pause to remember the freedom we have in Christ and the security we find in the finality of the written Word. We are given a mind to make our own decisions as long as they are scriptural. In fact when we look at scripture there is no indication that the general believing population, after reaching Canaan, was given any special direction at all. They just served the Lord in everyday situations, just like we are to today. They were to follow the law and instruction given to them by leaders appointed by God.

God may give us a peace about a decision, check our spirit, or provide providentially, but we are to be wise and make the best decisions possible based on how we are to live our lives based on scripture and God’s commandments.

So, how do you know God and His will? Read Genesis to Revelation. There is no easy answer here but one has to start walking with Jesus because He is the Word. He is the Way. Trust in Him.

ko