“and the Israelites set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sinai, and the cloud [of the Lord’s guiding presence] settled down in the Wilderness of Paran. So they moved out for the first time in accordance with the command of the Lord through Moses. So they set out from the mountain of the Lord (Sinai) three days’ journey; and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went in front of them during the three days’ journey to seek out a resting place for them. …And when the ark rested, Moses said, “Return, O Lord, To the myriad (many) thousands of Israel.””
Numbers 10:12-13, 33, 36 AMP
A great deal of preparation and planning occurred before the first departure when G-d determined they were ready to depart for their first of many of journeys. I try to imagine the perspective of the Israelites. They had to be curious, filled with questions, and dare I say, scared.
But here’s what got me: – the Ark went ahead to “find a resting place for them.” The Ark represents His presence – therefore HE went ahead. HE determined the resting place. Then He guided them by His presence because HE ALONE KNEW the way.
His presence goes before me and guides me today. He moves me from place to place – He tells me when to go or when to “set up camp” and His presence rests. Rest may look like laying hands on someone and praying for them. Rest may look like worship and writing. Rest looks like being settled wherever He guides me.
Since reading the passage today, words of a chorus from an old song by Brian Doerksen have rattled around in my spirit:
Here oh Lord
Have I prepared for you a home
Long have I desired for you to dwell
Here oh Lord
Have I prepared a resting place
Here oh Lord
I wait for you alone
The thing I desire most is for G-d to dwell in me and shine through me. He desires to make His home in me – and in you. The promise waiting for us – no matter where He asks us to go – is that He will meet us there.
Wherever He send me, whatever He asks of me He goes ahead. He prepares the place. And when He tells me to camp, His presence is waiting for me. G-d knows what He’s doing and where He’s going. I can fully trust Him.
Father – thank You for Your guiding presence. Thank You for making Your dwelling place within me. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Numbers 8-10