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The Covering of the Lord
John TiltonNumber 9:15-19
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.16That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire.17Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.18At theLord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remainedin camp.19When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed theLord’s orderand did not set out.
God caused a cloud to cover the tabernacle with the appearance of fire. God prompted the Israelites to move out and forward when the cloud lifted. However, whenever the cloud settled, they stayed encamped. This is how the Lord prompted the Israelites. It was the Lord’s way of covering the Israelites in guidance and care, knowing when they should venture out, and when they should stay in place.
This is a great metaphor for me, in that when things are cloudy, or not clear, I should wait upon the Lord for His clear direction and prompting. That is when, there is clarity and one would say, the cloud or lack of clarity has lifted. Thus, while being under the covering of the Lord, that is when I would seek Him for guidance and direction, while a await His guidance and prompting, not to be too eager to move forward without clarity. Cloudy conditions … stay put and seek the Lord, Clarity and lifting of the unknown, then move forward and out on matters.
Dear Lord, I thank you for guiding me through the Holy Spirit. I pray for your guidance when things are not clear, or seem metaphorically cloudy. I pray thank you for your clarity in giving me signs and prompting when I should move forth, being led by the Holy Spirit.
