"Steps and Stops" by Millie Stamm

The children of Israel had been told to watch the cloud for guidance. But there were also times when the cloud indicated that they were to wait. The wilderness was not the most delightful place in which to wait. The barrenness of the desert was not inviting. Waiting in itself is not easy. Regardless of their strength and eagerness to start out again, regardless of their impatience to be on the way, the Israelites did not move until God, by means of the cloud, directed them to do so. “Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days … Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning … 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.” (Numbers 9:20-22)  It may not have been difficult to wait a short time but sometimes they had to wait a long time. This was no doubt difficult. It was the test of their obedience. Sometimes we are kept waiting, too. We may be in the midst of heartaches, of problems, of trials, of temptations when we see the cloud stop and wait. Sometimes our waiting is for a short period. We may, on the other hand, be kept waiting for a long time. But we dare not move until he moves us. There are times when we seem settled in a comfortable place. We are happy and contented. Suddenly the cloud begins to move. We may not want to move, yet we will have his blessing only if we willingly move with his cloud. “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm.” (Psalm 37:23)  Both the steps and the stops of our lives are ordered by the Lord. The important thing is for us to follow where he leads.