So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the LORD they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the LORD they would journey. So it was, when the cloud remained only from evening until morning: when the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they would journey; whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey. At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed; they kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by the hand of Moses. (NKJV)
Israel was on a journey. They were on a journey to the land that had been promised to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were being delivered from the bondage of slavery that they had lived in for over 400 hundred years in Egypt. God’s presence was with them in a very special way as we see in the passage from Numbers. On their journey they saw God do mighty miracles. They also rebelled against God and would suffer the consequences of this rebellion on their journey. But praise God there would be a generation that would go into the promised land and complete the journey successfully.
The word journey is used in 96 verses in the Bible in one way or another. As Christians we often describe our time here on earth and our promise of one day living in Heaven for eternity as a journey. We are on a journey with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are indwelt with His Holy Spirit so that He can be with us every step of our journey with Him.
Last week J.J. and I were on our way to Springfield, Missouri to see our new granddaughter Hannah who was born last week. We have made that trip several times and we know the route very well. When we were approximately one mile from the exit off I-55 where you turn to go to Jonesboro Arkansas a truck blocked me from seeing the exit and we missed the turn.
I always pay attention to landmarks when I travel. I got upset when we missed the turn. The Lord showed me that some of that was pride. That it was pride that was bothering me so much about missing the turn. The Lord is always teaching us on the journey.
We turned around a few miles up Interstate 55 and were headed back in the right direction. About five minutes later we were on I-555 headed to Jonesboro. All of a sudden it began to rain so hard that we could barely see. I had to slow down to around forty-five, or fifty miles per hour on the Interstate. A few miles up the road there was a three-vehicle accident. I felt later on like the Holy Spirit had something to do with us missing that turn back on I-55. We could have possibly been in that accident. Sometimes the Holy Spirit may restrain us from something that appears to be the right way. He may sometimes on the journey delay us from getting to some particular point in the journey until it is just the right time. The apostle paul experienced this : Ac 16:6 “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.” In spite of it raining very hard for a good part of the way we were able to get to Springfield safely and celebrate the birth of our new granddaughter Hannah.
On the way back we had prayed that our journey would be a spiritual retreat for us. We listened to Christian music and we gave God thanks for the beauty of the State of Missouri and for the beautiful mountains in Missouri and Arkansas.
We noticed how beautiful the view was when we would be on top of the mountain. We also noticed that there are a lot of winding curves on the way up the mountain. Sometimes on our journey with Jesus Christ we experience some winding curves. Some of the curves can be very sharp and dangerous. And yet if we keep our eyes on the Lord and stay on the path, we will make it up to the mountain.
Once again, we would go through a couple of storms before we made it back home to Hamilton. Sometimes the storms in life come up suddenly and unexpectedly. Sometimes the howl of the winds can be scary. But J.J. and I prayed Psalms 91 and we knew that the Lord would protect us from the storms.
Today if you have taken a wrong turn on your journey the Lord stands ready to help you to get back on the right path. If you are on that crazy crooked curvy path up the mountain keep your eyes on Him and He will get you there. If the storms of life have come upon you unexpectedly know that the Peace Speaker is with you in the storm and that He is ready to calm it and to get you safely home. Enjoy the journey knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ has purchased your ticket and will get you to your eternal destination.
Let Us Pray
Lord we thank You that you travel with us and that we are never alone, or lacking any good thing. Today no matter where we are in our journey with you. Or no matter what may be happening in our journey with You help us to keep our eyes on You knowing that You will work for good in every phase of the journey. We thank you that You have paid the price for our eternal destination and that we will live in glory with You forever and ever!
In Jesus Name
Amen
Enjoy the journey!
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
Real Party Ministry 