In the book of Numbers we find a description of the procedure the children of Israel would go through as they traveled through the wilderness. As this huge mass of humanity would begin to move, the priests would pick up the ark of the covenant to lead the way. The ark symbolized the presence of God, it was here that they met with God. It was at this point that Moses would say something found in chapter 10.
10:35 And when the ark went forward Moses said, Come up, O Lord, and let the armies of those who are against you be broken, and let your haters go in flight before you. As we start this journey go before us God. They didn't want to take a step without the presence of God. I wish I could be so conscious of God that I would not start out a day without asking for His presence to go before me. When they finished traveling for the day the ark would be set down. At this point Moses would say something else. 10:36 And when it came to rest, he said, Take rest, O Lord, and give a blessing to the families of Israel. Rest with us, God. God was so vital to these people that they didn't want to rest without Him watching over them and resting with them. I often rush out into life and don't even pause to think about the presence of God. I wish I could tell you that Israel continued this God conscious life but sad to say they didn't. 'Prone to wander prone to leave the God I love," the hymn writer penned and I can really identify with this statement. I want to live the God conscious life but often I don't. But it is the only life that can please Him. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing `unto him'; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and `that' he is a rewarder of them that seek after him. |