Hearing His Voice #206

Whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted.

Exodus 40:36-37

We have decisions to make, so we ask for guidance. We wait for it. We remind God of His promises to give wisdom to those who seek it. And when He lingers . . . well, very often we don’t let Him linger. We assume that if He hasn’t spoken quickly, He must be leaving us to our own discernment to make the best decision we can. We go ahead and move forward, not because we’ve heard His voice but because moving forward seems to be the only option. We use our best judgment and trust that it fits with His will.

Sometimes God wants us to move forward in the wisdom and discernment we already have, but our decision-making process should never be reduced to that alone. We are in such a rush to make decisions that we act as if meeting a deadline is more important than hearing specific direction from God. When He lingers, He is waiting to see if we will fill the vacuum by seeking Him or by using our own logic and sense of urgency. Far too often, we fill the gaps with our own assumptions. We make decisions before we’ve heard God’s directions.

When the Israelites were following God in the wilderness, they waited until the cloud rose and led them. If the cloud didn’t rise, the people didn’t either. They stayed, sometimes long beyond their own comfort level, until God led them. That isn’t easy to do, but it’s an essential exercise in faith and listening. In most significant decisions, God wants us to ask and wait. And wait some more. And wait even more—until we’ve heard. No time is wasted in this process; when we follow the “cloud” of direction, God gives us a direct path into His will.

Lord, You direct my paths, sometimes much more methodically than I want. Give me a patient spirit; help me not rush to judgment; undo my assumptions. And when I’ve heard from You, I’ll follow with confidence.