Following the Cloud

On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.

Numbers 9:15-17 NIV

GPS has become almost indispensable for me when traveling. No longer do I need to worry about whether I am going in the right direction. I plug in the address where I want to go, and I am guided along the way. And it works out in the mountains as well when I am out backpacking. So long as I have my phone with me, I can know where I am and the direction I need to travel to arrive at my destination.

Following God’s Leading

When Israel came out of Egypt, they had a long journey through the wilderness. A trip that ended up taking 40 years. And they had no GPS. But they had something better. God led them along the way with a cloud. This cloud would have been visible throughout the immense camp and distinguishable from the other clouds in the sky. Whenever the cloud would move, Israel would break camp and follow it. When the cloud stopped, they would set up camp again.

Today, we no longer have a visible cloud to lead us along the path set out for us as believers. But we do have the Holy Spirit and the Scripture to guide and direct us. So long as I follow their lead, I will never go astray. But when I choose the direction my life should take, I will inevitably go astray. Just like I often do when I ignore the directions of my GPS. The prompting of the Holy Spirit and the directions given in Scripture are easy to miss if I am not paying attention. But if I take the time to listen, the journey will be good.