9:15 And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, [namely], the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.
9:16 So it was alway: the cloud covered it [by day], and the appearance of fire by night.
9:17 And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
9:18 At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
9:19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
9:20 And [so] it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.
9:21 And [so] it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and [that] the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether [it was] by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
9:22 Or [whether it were] two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
9:23 At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
This is one of my favorite scriptures because it shows us a side of the Israelite people often dwarfed in the shadow of their constant grumbling complaining and disobedience. However we are given here a glimpse into that remnant. The ones who were so in tune with the Spirit of the Living God that they forsook what would be continue normacy by us to follow after God.
The word declares in verse 18 - At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
I don't know about anyone else but this is inspiring to my spirit. This obedience, this hunger for God - this hunger to obey his commandment and not just a hunger for it but the action that followed: this is what's needed by God's people today - extreme obedience. Obedience that says, "I'm not too tied to the desires of this world or this life to obey you Lord." Obedience that says God, "I just want you. I just want to be where you are."
Saints of God, it's time for the church to stop being consumed with themselves, stuff and the idols they've lifted up before and time for extreme obeidence. Will you give what you're holding back for yourself? Will you release your self - focus for focus on the King? Will you be extreme like these shown here to pick up and follow after God?
Following after God and obeying His command is the only way we can receieve the power necessary to evangelize this dying world. Following after God will put us in the position to receive the strength to endure these hard times and folowing after God will endue us with a demon destroying, life transforming, miracle producing power that will overshadow those of the past as promised by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Will you be extreme in your obedience?