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From:  Mary Padgett Ministries, Inc.
A Word In Due Season
 

WAITING FOR GOD TO MOVE

Scripture:  Numbers 9:22  "Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried ... the children of Israel ... journeyed not."

God led the people of Israel through the wilderness with a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night.  This cloud and fire assured them of God's presence and His protection from the Egyptians.  Yet, they never knew how long the cloud was going to rest in one spot or when it was going to move again.  They had to be ready to obey God's sign of guidance and move when He moved and stop and wait when He was 
being still.  This must have been a test to their faith and patience as it is easier to trust God when things seem to be moving and we can see something physical happening.

Today, we live in a very fast paced world.  Everything is drive through, fast food, and microwave.  Our time is limited and we 
feel like we do not have moments to waste.  We become very anxious when we have to stand in long lines or wait on anything, and waiting on God is no exception.  Can you imagine Israel's plight?  They were on a journey that should have lasted eleven to fourteen days, but they limited God and He kept them waiting on Him.  After forty years, their waiting must have become very frustrating to them.

This is a picture of our own life.  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has good thoughts towards us, to give us a future and a hope.  However, to reach God's divine purpose and fulfill His perfect plan, we can only move at His command.  We must follow as He lead
s, one step at a time, regardless of whether that means to go forward for a season or to stay completely still until God moves again.  In either case, it is often difficult.  When God says, "Go," we fear moving into the unknown.  And when He says, "Stay," we become anxious and our faith begins to falter because we cannot see anything happening.  Today, we do not have a visible cloud to lead us, but we have the witness of the Holy Spirit of God.  Faith takes action, but faith often has to wait.  If we want to experience God's greatest plan for us, we must move as we sense His presence moving and wait patiently on Him when He tarries. +++

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