Direction...

"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 9:23).

If you would take time to read this verse in context starting in Numbers 9:15 and finishing at verse 23, you would become aware of the continued details the LORD is giving Moses to speak to the people of Israel regarding the Tent of the Testimony.

I want to really focus on verse 23 with you this morning. “At the LORD’S command they encamped.” Has the LORD positioned you somewhere? Has He had you encamped in a particular place, a job, a ministry, a business, a community, a relationship, etc.? Is it difficult there? Are you overwhelmed, frustrated, anxious, and/or confused? Don’t miss the next sentence in that verse: “and at the LORD’S command they set out.”

Being overwhelmed, frustrated, anxious, and/or confused isn’t grounds for moving out of the encampment where the LORD has positioned you. It is an opportunity to glean the field while He has you there and to seek and know Him more. In fact, until the LORD commands you to set out, don’t!

Today, we as believers get caught up in one the following:

• We are in a place/position God never commanded us to be encamped.
• We are in a place/position God commanded us to be encamped, but when He commanded us to set out from that place/position, we disobey.
• We are in a place/position God commanded us to be encamped, but we set out without His command.

You might be saying, “Well, Ms. Vickie, you seem to be on a roll about something today.” Yes, I am. Why? Well, let’s look at the last line in verse 23. “They obeyed the LORD’S order, in accordance with his command through Moses.” “They obeyed the LORD’S order.”

There is a lot of movement and lack of movement going on in the body of Christ from the top to the bottom and from the bottom to the top that God hasn’t commanded, but people like to stamp His name on it.

Our God is and has plainly revealed to us through His word throughout all of scripture that He is a God of order. Without order there is chaos, frustration, anxiety, confusion, fear, insecurity, and on and on. The enemy loves it when we as believers are disobedient to God’s command for us to encamp and/or to set out from the encampment. The enemy loves it because it brings destruction to the pleasures of God. Today as I write this, I ask you, friend, to check your encampment. Has God placed/positioned you there? Then glean the field even in the storms and seek to know Him even more. He knows! Are you in a place/position that He had nothing to do with concerning your encampment? Then pray and ask Him what to do now. Just because we don’t follow His command going in doesn’t excuse us from seeking to see if we need to go out.

God cares about every detail, and while Leviticus and Numbers drive us crazy with details they are reminders to us that HE is in the details. We say that so flippantly at times, but do you REALLY believe it? Then let’s begin to act like we do believe our Abba by being obedient to HIM!

It is my prayer that what I have shared this morning exhorts, challenges, and/or convicts us all!

The missionary women are signing up like crazy for the Dominican Republic trip! Yeah God!!! We have 41 women as of this writing. We still have 9 positions open. Pray that God speaks and the women listen as He places/positions them for this time of encouragement and refreshing! The team is solidifying as well! Amen!

Now for your part as you journey with us all over the world: Start to pray and ask God if He wants you to be a part of this trip even though you are not leaving the country!

Contact me at vickie@purejoyinternational.org if you have questions. Also, giving toward the sponsorship of these women is always needed for each trip we take. Give as little or much as HE leads!

I love you guys and have a wonderful week in HIM!

His,

Vickie