“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.” (Numbers 9:17, ESV)
While I was in Savannah, a parishioner asked me a question. “Do you remember how the Lord led the people with the cloud that was over the Tabernacle? Wouldn’t it be great if He led us the same way today?” I explained that I believe that in a way He still does.”
In Exodus we understand that the pillar of cloud represented the manifestation of the glory of God filling the Tabernacle. In Numbers, we find that He used this manifestation to lead Israel on their journey. When they saw the cloud lift from over the tent, they were to move.
Today, I believe that the Lord is still at work all around us by manifesting His presence in very special ways. However, today rather than a cloud we can see Him at work manifesting His presence in situations, people’s lives, ministries, etc. What is the point? We ought to be constantly observing to see where the Lord is at work and then actively seek to join with Him in that work.
Often churches maintain ministries that have clearly passed their day, simply because they have always done them. At the same time, they may overlook an area of ministry in the church or community, where the Lord is moving mightily. A church that follows the Lord will be constantly looking to see when the cloud has lifted from a ministry and to move to the ministry upon which it has settled.
This is not just for the church corporate. It is also for the individual believer. I encourage you to open your spiritual eyes to see where the Lord is at work around you. Perhaps it is a coworker, friend, or neighbor that is going through a trial and could use a word of prayer or encouragement. Perhaps it is a need you sense in someone’s life and you can help. Perhaps these are opportunities for you to delve into spiritual things with them. You can lend a word of testimony. Opportunities like these are there. We just need to be observant to see where the Lord is already at work and then actively seek to join Him.
Renewing the Heart 