What cloud and fire teach us about trusting

How much do you trust God?

Are you willing to move when he moves or stay when he leads you to stay?

"Whether it was two days or a month or a year—however long the cloud lingered over the Tabernacle—the Israelites remained encamped and did not set out."
—Numbers 9:22

In Numbers 9, we find an interesting passage, where God's presence would manifest as a cloud of smoke by day, and a pillar of fire by night. It would hover over an area above the Tabernacle in the temple as a sign that he was there.

We read about how the presence would move and stay put. A visible sign to the Israelites that God would lead them. When we compare this to our lives, how willing are we to follow where God is leading us?

But more particularly, how willing are you to stay put?

We like movement; we don't like waiting. And when the waiting lasts longer than we are comfortable with, we get antsy. We want to move on our own, often leaving behind God's presence.

Behind this desire hides a lack of trust. We get worried that things won't work out or that we'll be left behind. We compare ourselves to others and start to believe that we just need to make things happen.

All of this fear stems from a lack of trust in a God who loves you and wants the ultimate best for your life. Is there an area where God has been leading you to do something?

Start it today.

Is there something He's been leading you to stop doing?

What's preventing you?

As you take a step of faith, you learn to trust God. There are no shortcuts to this process—you learn by trusting, and God will always give you an opportunity.

On the other side of this trust is a life filled with God's presence—and that is the best place you could be.