Numbers 9-12
Movin' On!

The Israelites had spent less than a year in the shadow of Mount Sinai. They had just celebrated the Passover, remembering their recent deliverance from the grueling hands of the Egyptians. In chapter 10, it was now time for them to start again their journey to the land of Canaan.

It must have been hard for the people in some ways. Though they were living a nomadic life, things had settled down for them. Before the mountain, there was a sense of stability. For the very young, this was their home. Yet, God's will was for them to press on to the goal. In 10:12, we are told, "...and the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai. And the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. They set out for the first time at the command of the LORD by Moses." They followed the leadings of God, packed put their things and pressed on to the goal.

We are blessed as a people in so many ways, aren't we? It is easy to become settled-and that is the last thing God wants us to be. Of course, we aren't talking about our physical location; we are talking about other things.

We are talking about those times God wants us to get out of the mire of spiritual deadness. The Hebrew writer warned in 5:12-14, 'For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."

The big question then is: if we get up, to where do we go? The answer is wherever God leads you. Often, we need to get up and follow His leading through His word. We are not living our lives as He wants us to; we see what He wants us to be, yet we have just camped before the mountain for years, certain that "one day" we will follow. Get up!

We are not talking doctrinally here, but occupationally. Not what He wants you to believe, but what He wants you to do in His kingdom. Are you following God with your abilities? That may be tricky, since in our individual service to Him, He sometimes takes us to different places. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11, "He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, some pastors and teachers." Each serves in different capacities-which is good. While He leads us doctrinally to the same place through His word, His leading occupationally is a little harder to pin down. Sometimes this demands we "get out of our comfort zone" and try new acts of service. Perhaps God hasn't given you an ability in an area, but you will never know until you try.

God's desire is for you to grow in His knowledge and grace. He longs to move you a few steps closer to our promised land-Heaven. But, you won't get there if you don't move and follow.