I love to scuba dive. Or, should I say, I loved scuba diving. It’s one activity that certainly gave me the chance to explore the unknown, to see things and creatures you can’t see above the surface of the water. I haven’t gone in years, but there’s one memory that stands out. You see, me and a few of my buddies had the chance to go scuba diving off the coast of Cozumel. This was by far the most exotic place I have ever gone scuba diving. Like any other dive site, we rode out by boat, jumped into the water, and followed the assigned scuba diving guide.
We dove down to approximately 60 feet, followed our guide around through the different “canyon” type areas. And then, I noticed that there was a significant drop-off to our left. I tapped one of my buddies on the arm, pointed to the wall and the drop-off, and we began to dive down. This was our chance to dive at our max depth as advanced divers, 120 feet. So, with our heads down we hit 80 feet. 90 feet. 100 feet! The wall was crazy. Below us was complete darkness. 115 feet! And then, we both heard a quiet, “tink, tink, tink” sound. 118 feet! The “tink tink tink” sound was getting louder and faster… tinktinktinktinktink!
We look up, as our guide is tink tink tinking her way to us. She points at us, points to our group and then points to her side. You see, even though we were certified to dive to a depth of 120 feet, she didn’t give us permission to go out on our own. She was leading the way. She had a plan, the plan, for a successful dive. And that plan didn’t include two knuckleheads diving off into the deep unknown by ourselves. Her job was to guide us, and it was our job to trust and follow her.
While the Israelites weren’t out scuba diving off the coast of Cozumel, they too had a Guide. Check this out:
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 did not set out – until the day it lifted. 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 40:36-38
If we look at the life of the Israelites during this time, one thing will ring true throughout… as long as the Israelites kept their focus on the Lord, they lived within hope, joy and peace. But when they began to rely on anything other than the Lord, their lives fell apart. And just as the Israelites relied on God’s presence and guidance through this cloud and fire, there are lessons from their journey that we all can apply so that we too can live a life of trust, obedience and awareness of God’s constant presence in our world.
First, wait for God’s timing and guidance.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Just as the Israelites waited for the cloud to lift before moving, we can practice patience and discernment in our decisions as well. Before making significant decisions, take time to pray and seek God’s will through Scripture and wise counsel. Avoid rushing into choices based on emotions or pressure. And as you do that, take time to journal your prayers, your concerns, and your decisions. Tracking how God provides guidance over time can strengthen your faith as you walk in His timing. And so we practice patience in our decision making.
Secondly, take time to recognize God’s presence in all seasons of life.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
This cloud and fire represented God’s constant presence with the Israelites. And the same is true for you and I. He is with us in both the day of clarity, and the night of uncertainty. Spend time in His Word every day. Spend time with Him through prayer. As you do, He will remind you of His promises as you meditate on His faithfulness as He holds you up even within uncertainty. And as you do this, you’ll be able to see all the ways you’ve seen God’s hand in your life whether it’s been through blessings, answered prayer or lessons you’ve learned through hard times. As you recognize God’s presence, He’ll develop a heart of gratitude within you.
Third, follow God with your obedience to Him.
“How joyful are those who fear the Lord – all who follow His ways.” – Psalm 128:1
The Israelites moved only when the cloud lifted and moved. They didn’t want to go anywhere where God’s presence wasn’t with them. And we can practice this obedience in our lives as we practice trusting and obeying God even when His instructions challenge our plans or timing. Even though it might be difficult, identify one area of your life where God might be calling you to obedience. Maybe it’s forgiving someone. Or maybe God is calling you to serve in some aspect of your life. Maybe it’s in the area of generosity. Or maybe, He’s calling you to ask for forgiveness from someone. Or maybe, you’ve never given your life to Jesus, repenting from your sin, asking Him to be the Lord of your life. Whatever God is asking of you, no matter how difficult it might seem, He’s asking for your obedience. And because He’s asking for your obedience, He’s promised to go with you through His Spirit as you follow Him.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” – John 14:16-17
And as your obedience to the Lord increases, share your journey with your friends who can either encourage you to keep going, or you can encourage them to begin their faith journey with Jesus.
My prayer for you is that you develop a life of obedience to the Lord as you follow Jesus. And as you do, that you recognize God’s presence in your life in both the clarity of the day and the uncertainty of the night. And that you continually depend upon God for guidance as you wait on the Lord. Peace.
“Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.” – Exodus 33:15
