Moving

Moving

Bible: Numbers 9:15-23

Reading

Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out;
wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped (V.17).

Have you and your family ever moved house? It’s a stressful time for everyone! Some research says that many of us will end up moving house up to twelve times in our lives! That’s a lot of packing and unpacking! During Israel’s forty years in the wilderness, the cloud of God’s presence led the family nation to make one move after another as they headed towards the promised land. The story just keeps repeating. Over and over the huge family packed and unpacked not only its own belongings but also the tent and fittings of the tabernacle, where God met with Moses in a cloud (SEE EXODUS 25:22). Many years later, Jesus would give a fuller meaning to the story of Israel’s moving days. Instead of leading from a cloud, He came in person.

When He said, “Follow me” (MATTHEW 4:19), He began showing that the most important change of address happens when we trust Him. By leading both friends and enemies to the foot of the cross on which He died, He showed how far God went to rescue us. When we trust Him, “our citizenship is in heaven” (PHILIPPIANS 3:20), not where we live on earth. Like changes of address, this heavenly move can be unsettling. It means living for God while still being on earth; it means focusing on the home we can’t see. But when we are finally in our Father’s house, we’ll see that Jesus led us all the way.

THE BIGGEST MOVE ANYONE WILL MAKE

IS INTO GOD’S FAMILY.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries