What are you teaching?

Throughout the forty years that Moses led God’s people in the desert, it seems that they were rarely happy. In fact, the two words that the Bible most often uses to describe their attitudes are “grumbled” or “complained”. Now notice the word that describes them in the passage below.

“Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!" (Verses 2-5).

The sad part: The people still had not learned anything about God! For forty years, they complained, cried, and thought that they were going to die. Every time they were in need, God provided, yet here they are still complaining and still worrying!

Even worse than that though is the fact that this is now the second generation of God’s people to do this. The people have raised their children to be fearful, worrying complainers too. Rather than teaching trust, thankfulness and reliance on God, the parents taught their kids to be just like them.

So, what are we teaching our children? Are we teaching them that every little thing is a huge problem, or are we teaching them to trust God? Are we teaching them to fret or to pray? Are we seeing our many blessings or only our few problems?

Are you leaving a legacy of faith or fear?

“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7).

Following the Cloud

When the Israelites lived in tents and did not have a land to call their own, the Lord commanded them to build him a special tent called the “Tabernacle”. This was to be God’s dwelling place among his people. When the tabernacle was complete, a cloud filled it as a sign that the Lord’s Spirit was with them.

With that background, read this passage and see if you get the point.

“On the day the tabernacle, the tent of testimony, was set up, 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. At the Lord's command, the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obeyed the Lord's order” (Numbers 9:15-23).

The point: “God’s people follow God!”

Now that may seem sort of obvious, but it is not. Many who call themselves “followers of God” actually do whatever they want or whatever they think is best. God is not so much their leader, but a consultant that they go to when they need help.

This passage reminds us that really following God requires that we listen to him, have patience and trust that he knows where we are going.

That is not always easy, but, in the end, it is always best.

Are you being led by God?