By Zethu Zwane
Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. [22] 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. [23] At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
Numbers 9:21-23 NIV
I was reading Numbers 9:15-23 this morning and I was immediately comforted. Recently I was asked if I’m grateful about anything, and that question really had me thinking. However, what I had to remember is some seasons you’ll be more grateful than peaceful. In other seasons you’ll be more peaceful than joyful. I believe you can still be grateful even when you’re grieving, and you can have more grief than peace.
On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire.
Numbers 9:15 NIV
All these imbalances call you to seek out God. This is why I believe today one of the most convicting season you’ll ever face is the waiting season. That’s because you’ll sometimes lengthen your time due to your psychological perspective. It’s also convincing because this is when you’ll truly see whether you rely wholefully on God. There’s a lot of pruning that takes place, and this is what I’m talking about today. It’s a season that will test your reliance on God.
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Unfortunately I had a moment of vulnerability because people have been questioning me. I said on my YouTube channel that in your waiting season people will treat you like you’re having a midlife crisis. As a result I absorbed their beliefs and lost my peace. It’s very important for you to remember what God said, so you don’t move according to people’s fears, beliefs or ideas.
Be patient in letting go what people say, but pray for God’s help to let go
I know wholeheartedly that these memorable messages are taxing. Society will tell you that you’re useless, lazy, incompetent, not trying enough or stupid for not finding solutions to your problems. To people, your Waiting season was a moment of stupidity. If you listen to these words, ideas and beliefs for too long, you’ll lose your peace. What’s worse you’ll test God on matters God has spoken.
He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
Psalms 99:7 NIV
In my blog on why I have more peace than joy, I said God doesn’t make suggestions. It’s a command. Unfortunately you’re not an Isrealite walking with Moses in the desert. You’re walking alone while your community asks you countless questions. They’ll find you strange for looking useless.
Too many people have asked me why I haven’t found a job, but I can’t explain that I’ve submitted my life to God. They don’t understand why that is related to what I’m doing today. It all sounds weird to them.
Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
Exodus 13:22 NIV
Confronting my flesh during this waiting season
Then here’s another honest reflection; I hate being pitied. I’ve realised that every morning I have to kill my pride. That’s because my ego has nothing to do with God’s timing. Yet recently and whenever someone is pitying me, I find my ego competing with God’s peace. A very shameful truth right, but it’s good to remember, so I can run to the throne.
Then the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent.
Deuteronomy 31:15 NIV
It’s better to come to God when you feel your flesh competing with God’s peace. It’s better to seek God in your weaknesses as opposed to allowing my ego to rob me of peace. Finally this morning’s bible reading reminded me of the importance of what God’s doing.
As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses.
Exodus 33:9 NIV
I was reading Numbers chapter 9 this morning, and I’m grateful the Bible reminds us of God’s Authority. The bible also reminds you that God has every right to dictate your steps. He will continue to do this until your raging flesh is crucified, and it’s no longer you who lives, but Christ Jesus.
By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take.
Nehemiah 9:12 NIV
The waiting season will remind you God’s commands are not suggestions
I was reminded of this sentiment while reading Numbers 9:15-23. If you’re in a waiting season or the wilderness, here’s some key things it’s important for you to remember. Firstly the one word that stuck out to me is “at God’s commands.” This one made me laugh sheepishly because 2 years ago, God commanded me to stay put and write. As long as God hasn’t said anything, you should keep doing what He’s said.
Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.
Exodus 33:10 NIV
I also had to remind myself that God’s words are not a suggestion, but a command. However, I found myself becoming impatient due to people’s loud and consistent comments. This is something you have to overcome; listening to people over what God said. The world around you is loud and will drum opinions upon opinion on what you should be doing. It will feel relentless versus God’s silence.
Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward,
Numbers 12:5 NIV
This is when I had to read other bloggers who’ve passed through a waiting season. They reminded me that if God speaks, it means I am doing something wrong, and I absolutely agree with that. Last year, God spoke a lot because I worked like the 3rd servant who hides God’s talents as opposed to investing them. Actually I was reprimanded a lot because I needed it. I was like the Isrealites; constantly whining and doing the bare minimum.
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 9:22 NIV
Why God uses the first chapter to mold, discipline and reprimand you
The truth sucks right, because it’s hard to admit that you’ve disobeyed God, and deserved being reprimanded. Yet throughout the Bible, God has spoken when He needed to reprimand you. One blogger reminds you that God spoke to Jonah because Jonah ran away from God.
This journey has been convicting, and I dedicated myself to change. I didn’t want to be the 3rd servant anymore. I wanted to turn my behaviour around and work like the 2nd or 1st servant.
Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.
Psalms 99:8 NIV
Taking all of this into account, remember why it’s important when God commands. God’s voice is not like the loud people in the market. He’s the most High God, so He doesn’t need to repeatedly shout the same command like us marketers. I’m a marketer and my work is built on repeatedly saying the same thing with cool graphics. Yet The Lord Your God is mighty, and worthy to be praised.
You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters. [12] By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take.
Nehemiah 9:11-12 NIV
He needs no counsel to help Him say why He’s already commanded. Part of your Waiting season is learning to anchor into God’s command over what people say. I’ve had successful people and big shots tell me I’m living my life wrong, but they’re not God. Remember, God doesn’t need counsel. Then Job said God doesn’t need a reason to give and take away. This takes me to the second shock of this journey.
Realizing your reliance on God was based on your idols and strengths
I was shocked about this season because I’ve always lived in a bubble. I’ve always had comfort, but I never dedicated my life to God. The moment when I said I want to work for God is the moment I entered into His complete authority. I say complete authority because I relinquished my own ideas.
But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands. [17] They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,
Nehemiah 9:16-17 NIV
As you know humans always want something as long as it’s based on your own strengths and ideas. As a result, you’ll pray to God please give me a Godly husband, but date all the bad boys. Then you’ll turn to your prayers asking God to turn this bad boy into a Godly man.
We want God to do things from our own understanding and reasoning. This is why my season of lack has shown me what my idols are, and where I’m falsely relying on God. The shock of this realisation is the start of your journey. It’s the start of your change, and it’s the start of your growth. A season of lack highlights where you used your own strength and then slapped God’s victory on it.
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.
1 Corinthians 10:1 NIV
Turning your shock from disobedience into obedience and growth
Whenever you realise you slapstick God on your own man-made ambitions, it’s a humbling thing. It’s Okay to have that shameful; “WOW these were my plans all along,” moment. It’s perfectly good because your failing or moving into lack is a growth opportunity to rely on God. The shock for me in this season was seeing just how far away I was from relying on God.
Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. [6] It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.
Isaiah 4:5-6 NIV
I thought I relied on God 90%, but truth is I relied on my strength 98% then God 2%. That’s because I’m intelligent and have always been named a high performer at work. It’s hard to rely on God when your intelligence gets you places. That’s why losing all my strength has been a humbling shock. The turn of this change has allowed me to learn how to rely on God.
You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws through your servant Moses. [15] In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.
Nehemiah 9:14-15 NIV
Previously I also used to praise human authority, until God took all that favour away. The disappointment of watching its flawed favour caused me to run after God. It’s been a good growth because God has weaned me off on relying on people. Seek the Lord first before others. That’s why it’s important to stop listening to people while you wait on God.
He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them. [8] Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds. [9] Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
Psalms 99:7-9 NIV
Learning to move with God’s cloud that was above the tabernacle
Then here’s another area that stuck out to me from my morning reading. It’s about the cloud above the tabernacle. I needed this reminder because I’ve been listening to too many people. Listening to people has allowed my flesh to compete with God’s command. I’m so grateful that you have the bible as a reminder never to move. I’m also grateful for the bible because it reminds you that God’s silence doesn’t mean He’s left you.
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 Israelites during all their travels.
Exodus 40:38 NIV
No matter How silent God is, know that Jes still above you and your situation. This Morning’s reading has given you a literal meaning of Gods above all you face, so it’s always important to remember this. As a result I believe it’s important to do a Bible reading on God as the Rear guard when you feel He’s far. Secondly this reminder will stop you from testing God.
Testing God is a sin and act of disobedience. That’s why when I continued reading Numbers chapter 11:4, I was reminded about the battle between your flesh, idols and desires. Many times when you want to exit your waiting season be careful it’s not led by your idols. There’s a point in your Waiting season that feels like you have to kill your flesh every morning. That’s because you’ve waited for too long.
and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.
Exodus 24:16 NIV
Finding Assurance while you move with the Rear Guard
According to your human reasoning and understanding, you’ve been standing in this one spot for too long, yet that’s not the case. God’s ways are not your ways, so it’s important to persevere in your Waiting. Since you can’t tell people to shut up about what you’re doing, it’s important to spend I’ve with God. Time with God will help you learn to lean into Him no matter what people say.
Again you’re not among a group of people waiting on God, you may be alone this season, and that’s why it’s important to lean into God when you feel your time is too long. When God punished the Isrealites, it’s because they overlooked their blessings. They allowed their flesh to speak above all that God has done. However, you’ve got the Bible to remind you to turn away from your flesh.
But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
Genesis 19:26 NIV
Turn away from your idols, desires or deceitful heart and lean into God. While you wait, it’s important to see where God has provided for you countless times. For me God said stay home and write and He has since provided resources for me to accomplish what He’s said. Yes I sometimes misuse His resources by spending too much time on social media, but God has never failed me.
Perseverance will teach you how to lean into God and not your flesh and sin
Before you fall trap to the deceits of your heart, make a list of where God remained faithful. Then read Bible verses about God’s provision, so that you restore your peace and return to God. This has become so important to me because I had to remind myself that when I listened to people, I found more trouble than solutions. Even when I listen to loved ones; people don’t have God’s omnipresence, so they can’t see the future.
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:34 NIV
The third area was the most important area to highlight. From verse 20-22 it says the cloud can stay in one place for a few days, months or years. When the cloud stayed put in one place the Isrealites didn’t move. Similarly in your life, stay put when God hasn’t spoken. A waiting season will teach you how to move according to God’s commands and not your ideas, feelings or deceit.
A waiting season will teach you not to make place plans based on people’s opinions. A waiting season will teach you not to move based on emotions, fears or shame. A waiting season will teach you not to move based on your desires, Former idols or deceitful hearts. In chapter 11, the people wanted to go back to their former idols. They complained that this season of lack is a waste of time because they miss their idols and worldly joys.
even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ or when they committed awful blasphemies.
Nehemiah 9:18 NIV
Being exposed to the worst of you is a chance to turn to God for repentence and change
Sometimes a waiting season will show the worst of us. Many people forget what they had prayed for; Lord take me out of this bad place. Many people forget that God once rescued you from biassed treatment. Instead many risk turning the waiting season into a season of pity. They forget that God brought them out of human authority and into His Holy presence. I believe this is what happens when you seek God’s Authority over people.
When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. [11] And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple.
1 Kings 8:10-11 NIV
He must demolish every idol you’ve ever liked. Correction; you must demolish every idol you’ve ever adored. The idol of hustle culture. The idols of success, the idols of mammon, the comforts of these idols and their worldly joys. This entire destruction is the only way to purify you off the devil’s stronghold.
The reality is we hate human authority because it’s unfair and gives to the few. Yet when in the wilderness you’re confronted by this very thing because you find yourself yearning for scraps from human authority. It’s a very harsh reality to face when you see yourself begging to go back to slavery. You’ve been Cultured to believe the lack that’s given to you is the best because you could afford a lot of worldly things.
They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,
Nehemiah 9:17 NIV
The best part about your waiting season is when you’re not moving
This is why the wilderness is good. It will wean you off those idols and worldly desires. Instead of going back to shiny limitations, keep waiting on the cloud above the tabernacle. As long as God hasn’t called you to move, don’t move. If all you have is praise and peace, keep praising God and keep your peace. If all you have is prayers and peace, keep praying to God and keep your peace.
The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.
Numbers 10:34 NIV
The reason for this conclusion is because life will have its ups and downs. God has every right to give to you and to take away. It’s better to evolve and wean yourself off worldly things now than repeat the same failures 10 or 20 years from now. That’s because God has every right to take and give. He has every right to move you or stay with you in one place. It’s better to see your weaknesses and give them to God than complain.
and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Job 1:21 NIV
It’s better to see your idols and demolish them with your own hands than to be consumed by them. Irs better to demolish people ideas and beliefs than suffering longer. It’s better to learn from the bible than to test God and be reprimanded. All of these moments are important to your growth. All of these moments matter to your growth opportunity and relationship with God.
who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
1 Peter 1:2 NIV
Your breakthrough is being built up in your obedience to stay seated no matter the circumstances
Finally I believe it’s okay to stumble and fall on your journey. It’s okay to have bad mornings, but don’t go believing in your heart or feelings. Whenever you hear your heart telling you about your past, tell yourself God is doing a big thing! It would be such a powerful testimony to say I’m no longer my idols, generational chains or societal beliefs. I’ve given my life to the Lord!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV
It would be such a powerful testimony to say I’ve given my life to the Lord and He has done me well. He has afflicted me, purified me, molded me and it’s no longer I that live, but Jesus Christ dwells in me. It would be such a testimony to persevere and wait on the cloud of God to move.
I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
Revelation 14:14 NIV
Moving at the Command of God will deepen your faith. You’ll also get to see what God was doing to you emotionally, spiritually and physically. That’s why I say wait on God and move only when He commands again. Finally I hope you see that when you move with God, you’ll move with the Rear Guard; your Protector, Provider and King. You’re Surrounded by a Mighty Fortress whos worthy to be praised.
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