God’s Way— Scripture Reflection #091

Exodus 40:34,36-37 (New Living Translation)

34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle. 36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37 But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted.

With the completion of the Tabernacle, the Israelites learned new lessons in trust, patience, and total reliance on God. God was still preparing them to inherit the Promised Land, and to get ready, He knew they needed to learn to go when He said “go”, and wait when He said “wait”. The conquest before them would be no easy feat, and failure could result in destruction. God needed a people who would do things His way. 

Similarly, God has a Promised Land ahead of each of us. He has promises and blessings that He wants us to walk into; however, we need to mature before we can inherit these blessings. God will allow a season of slavery or hardship, or He will send seasons of waiting or struggle, all so that we learn to rely, trust, and obey Him at all times, in all seasons. As we learn to weather these seasons God’s way, we will find that we are closer and closer to inheriting the Promised Land.

The Point: Life has its seasons; we must learn to weather them God’s way.