Is God Your GPS?

When we are attentive to what God is doing and when He is moving, He lets us know where He is leading us. Is God your GPS? How well do you follow His lead? #Numbers #WomensBibleStudy #GoodMorningGirls

In Numbers chapters 1-5, we see how God organized the Israelite camp so the Tent of Meeting was at the center of the camp.  God’s presence was visible to the Israelites in the form of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Numbers 9:18 & 22 say:

 18 At the command of the Lord the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the Lord they camped.

22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out.

 

That is just so awesome – who needs a GPS when you have God literally leading every move.

When God moved – the people moved.

When God was still.  God’s people were still.

It was as simple and as hard as that!  God did not ask the leaders if they were ready nor could they predict when God would move.  Most likely, the priests and Levites assigned people to keep watch day and night so they would know when the pillar was moving.

Then in Numbers chapter 10, we see the Lord telling Moses to make 2 trumpets.  Moses was to use these trumpets to signal a gathering of the leaders, to signal a gathering of all of the people together or to sound an alarm for the soldiers to prepare for battle.

Do you see the two things God’s people were to do?

  1. Watch.

  2. Listen.

Are we keeping watch and listening in our own lives?

Are we keeping our eyes focused on God to see when He moves?

Are we listening to His commands?

Are we following closely behind Him?

Are we walking with the King?

The Israelites not only moved when God moved but they also were still when God was still.

There are times when God wants us to move forward in our lives but there are also divine times of resting and waiting that God has for us.

I must admit – the times of resting and waiting can be the hardest for me. I just want God to get moving!  But God knows our needs and he knows that between times of activity, we need rest.  The Israelites did not run up ahead of God or lag behind God.

They walked with the King!

Oh how I wish I had a visible cloud and pillar of fire to follow.  It feels like it would be much easier to know what to do next. But may we never forget, we have been given 3 things:

1.)  Jesus – the light of the world!
2.) The Holy Spirit within us.
3.) The Word of God to guide us.

We are so blessed!

So perhaps it’s not the pillar of cloud and fire we need…but it’s the watching and the listening we need to work on in our lives.

I made a video last April that talks about “5 Ways to Determine God’s Will”.  It’s very applicable to today’s reading, so if you have not seen it yet – please listen below.

 

There is one final {exciting} note I have to share because it’s just too exciting not to share!

In Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus tells his disciples to watch for His return.

Then in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 it says:

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Just as the Israelites had to watch and listen for the trumpets – we too as God’s children, are to be watching and listening for the trumpet sound of the Lord’s return.  When he returns the final trumpet will sound and OH what a glorious day that will be!

Keep watching and keep listening.

Keep waiting.

The Lord will return!

Like the Israelites, we are not home.  We are just passing through this world on our way toward home in glory – but until then, may we follow God’s direction wherever He leads us.

Keep Walking with the King,

Courtney

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15 Comments

  1. It was encouraging to read your words today…..at times I wonder “am I really getting it?” I always pray for God to reveal his word to me, in the way He intended it to mean. But when I read His word and think “goodness I just wish “I” could see a cloud over “my” Tent of Meeting, like the Isrealites had, it would be so much easier.” I feel like maybe I’m just not getting it? So it was nice to see you had the same thought pass your mind too. The great thing is, I too thought “what am I thinking, I have it way easier, I have his Holy Spirit leading me.” “I have the knowledge of the New Testament to guide me!” So thank you for your words this morning, encouraging me that maybe I am on the right wave length here.
    Thank you Father God that you woke me up this morning and you got me on my way, please bless this GMG ministry in spreading your Word father. Soften the hearts of those who stumble upon this website, to be curious of you father, enough to investigate your word, speak to their hearts father, in a way that they may come to know you, bow down and make you their Lord and Savior. In your sons holy Holy, HOLY name I pray, Amen

    1. Laura – yes – you are getting it. And I love it when God confirms what we are learning through sharing together. Thank you for sharing here and for your beautiful prayer!

      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

  2. As I was reading about the pillars of cloud and of fire, I had the same thought that it would be so much easier to have such a visual guide of God and His commands. So thank you for this post. You addressed many of the questions/thoughts that have been swirling around in my mind over the past few months. I’ve been one of those women who wonder whether God is speaking to me because it never seems as clear as some women describe when it happens to them.

    1. Amy,

      I long for the day that we get to see God face to face. What a glorious day that will be. Until then – we walk by faith not by sight – faith in His Word and faith that the Holy Spirit will guide us. Keep yielding to Him. We are in it together!

      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

  3. Wow and Wow! I am jumping and singing hallelujah right now! How good is God and how awesomely consistent is He in his care for us!! I get so ahead of His plans for me because of my own agenda that I completely ignore His time of rest. I’m in one of those times now. For me, it’s scary not to be on point within my organized plan but that’s the whole point. It’s all coming together. And even better is the larger plan of God which matches His leading of the Israelites through the wilderness. Those trumpets are going to sound and tell us to move and join Him. Oh hallelujah !!!

    1. Christe –

      I love your excitement! That is exactly how I feel! I cannot wait for the final trumpet to sound! Come Lord Jesus – come!

      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

  4. Is God your GPS? YES! Are you in a season of moving or waiting? I’m currently in a season of waiting, but feel the preparations for moving ahead…….
    What else did you learn in your quiet time this week? The reminder that I need to keep my eyes and ears open and receptive to the Lord’s leading and guiding. This is accomplished through the communion of the Spirit in prayer and Bible study. I seem to always get back to the message: I need to Hear and Heed! About that Day –
    “What a day that will be,
    When my Jesus I shall see,
    And I look upon His face,
    The One who saved me by His grace;
    When He takes me by the hand,
    And leads me through the Promised Land,
    What a day, glorious day that will be.”
    (Jim Hill – 1955)

  5. when I was reading in Numbers 10: 9-10 how they sound the trumpet to call on God when they go to war and in times of gladness & rejoicing celebrating the festivals; I was thinking how we’ve come a long way from the old testament they used the trumpet to call on God compared to today (because of what Jesus has done for us) our trumpet is our mouth. We can call on God to go before us anytime of the day. We can call on him for protection from our enemies, we can praise and worship him in times of gladness, times of rejoicing with singing anytime day or night with our trumpet(mouth). All we have to do is call out to him.

  6. Like Charlsie, I am also in a season of waiting. My counselor shared with me that in times of waiting, I am to plant seeds in preparation for what’s next. For me, those seeds have been reaching out to work contacts, polishing off my resume, and watching and waiting for a new professional opportunity. Just this week, a new opportunity presented itself and I was asked if I had a resume ready. I did! It was polished and well-thought out, and ready to share! What thanksgiving that my time of sowing brought forth reaping at this time. My time spent in preparation allowed me to be ready when God unveiled this new possibility. Pausing in prayer daily to listen for the next steps in my journey. And, being kind to myself through the process as I worship in the waiting. xoxo

  7. Hello Courtney, I’m sharing this on my blog right away. It’s the same thing I wrote on my journal yet with some modifications and a few changes here and there.
    Thank you for this community. I’ve been greatly blessed and encouraged by the various lessons shared on facebook, and Instagram.I’m glad I’m participating in this study. Have a great week.

  8. I am in a period of waiting. The job I prayed for many years ago is changing, not for the better. Maybe I am just getting older. Lol . I can see how God has protected me, strengthened me. I am grateful to know that when the time comes to quit, God will make it clear. And in the meantime , one day at a time. Thanks for the reminder.

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