Keep Your Head in the Clouds

O. T. #315  "Keep Your Head in the Clouds"
June 3, 2014
Numbers 9-Part 2
At the commandment of the LORD, they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.   Numbers 9:23

LET IT GLOW

Keep your head in the clouds, friends. I know, you ask how to do that when you are going through such turmoil in your life. The answer is to keep your spiritual eyes on Jesus, surrounded by His love.

I can't count the number of times I have flown in an airplane. There have been many times that I sat by the window, looking out over the clouds. What an amazing sight! I have seen gray clouds, black clouds, and white fluffy ones with the sun shining around them. There have been a few times I even saw a rainbow from up there. What a glorious sight! I know my Lord is up there in the clouds, yet at the same time, He is down on the ground, even in a dark cave.

Realistically, I know that when our way sometimes gets surrounded by gray clouds.  However, there is hope in Jesus. There is a bright, fluffy, white cloud around me, somewhere. I just have to look beyond my present circumstances and keep my eyes on Jesus. He never leaves me nor forsakes me. Shall we get our heads into the clouds? Live above those  problems.

In this chapter we read about the glorious cloud which covered the Tabernacle.

Liberty Bible Commentary states:

This cloud was the Shekinah Glory sign of God whereby Israel could enjoy a visible assurance that the people were, indeed, being led by God. Paul refers to this glory cloud as one of the great advantages enjoyed by the nation Israel (Rom. 9:4-5).

Other times when God appeared in the form of a glorious cloud were:

• at the Red Sea (Ex. 13:21-22),
• in the tabernacle of the Holy of Holies (Lev. 16:2),
• in the Temple of Holy of Holies (2 Chron. 5:13),
• it disappears in Ezekiel's time (Ez. 10),
• at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:9),
• on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:5),
• at the Ascension (Acts 1:9-11).

When the people saw the cloud, they knew God was with them. Isn't that what we want, too? We want the reassurance that God is with us, leading us in our wilderness journey. We are on our way to our Promised Land called Heaven. Who is doing the leading and who is doing the following in our life? Who is in charge of our life-God or us? The thing is, are we following daily the Holy Spirit's prompting or are we the going our own way?

Israel obeyed the Lord at this point in her experience. Throughout the wilderness wanderings, the Israelites could only journey as the cloud led them. When it did not move, they stayed encamped where they were. (MacArthur)


LET IT GROW

When the cloud moved, Israel moved, and when the cloud stayed, Israel stayed, whether it was two days, a month, or a year.

It would have been foolish and dangerous for the campers to move without the direction from God. the Jews were a pilgrim people, living in tents, and they had to be ready to move at a moment's notice.  (Wiersbe)

Year, translated in Hebrew normally means more an extended period of time (Gen. 4:3; 24:55; 40:4) that is more than a month. (Falwell)

What did the people do in verse 23, at the command of the LORD?

• They rested in the tents.
• They journeyed at the LORD's command.
• They kept the charge of the LORD.

Oh, to be so faithful, dear ones. What is our heart's desire? Can we rest in our tent knowing Jesus is in charge of everything, still sitting on His throne as ruler of the universe?
Are we willing to journey into our neighborhood, across town, into our state, across the nation, or even around the world so others will hear the good news of our Savior and what He has done for us?
Will we keep the charge? Through whatever, will we remain faithful to our Savior as Paul? Are we willing to endure whatever for His glory?


LET IT GO 

Daily surrender to my Lord Jesus.   

Watch, listen, and follow the Holy Spirit's leading.  

Look for His glorious working.

Give Him the glory for all He does.   

Keep my head in the clouds with Jesus, above my problems.