You Can Follow the Cloud

One morning as we sat at the breakfast table, my husband Daniel asked, "Do you know what Psalm 37:23 says?" He read it to me from the New Living Translation: "The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives."

Throughout the morning, I thought about these breathtaking words. Then I realized that if God delights in every detail of my life, I should seek to enjoy Him and delight in His fellowship. I should also expect Him to direct each step.

A cloud told the Israelites every move to make. "In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out, but if the cloud did not lift, they remained. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels" (Exodus 40:38).

Imagine being an Israelite and always, every day, at each step of the journey, knowing exactly which way to go. They never had to question, "I wonder where God wants me to go today." By day and night they had direction. They knew when it was time to proceed and when it was time to pause.

We read about their guidance and think, "Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

But more wonderful is having the reality of what that cloud by day and fire by night symbolized--the Holy Spirit. He is our constant Guide. He lets us know when to move and when to hold still. Paul called this wonderful privilege keeping "in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).

Jesus, I want to live so I don't miss hearing Your voice saying, "This is the way; walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21).

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you" (Psalm 32:8).

Aletha