Law and Order

Numbers 9:15-23 NRSV

“On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant; and from evening until morning it was over the tabernacle, having the appearance of fire. 16 It was always so: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, then the Israelites would set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the Israelites would camp. 18 At the command of the Lord the Israelites would set out, and at the command of the Lord they would camp. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they would remain in camp. 19 Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the Israelites would keep the charge of the Lord, and would not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud would remain a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the Lord they would remain in camp; then according to the command of the Lord they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud would remain from evening until morning; and when the cloud lifted in the morning, they would set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they would set out. 22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, resting upon it, the Israelites would remain in camp and would not set out; but when it lifted they would set out. 23 At the command of the Lord they would camp, and at the command of the Lord they would set out. They kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses.”

When we follow God’s law we have his order. In order to follow the Israelites had to be attentive to God’s timing, be ready, and leave all baggage behind. They set out when the cloud/fire set out. They settled when cloud/fire settled. It was not in any discernible pattern, but as God said. If we are attentive to his timing, and are ready to move- we move. And yes, we have to leave all baggage- those things that hinder us, those negative attitudes, energy, that cause us to miss being attentive- see how that works? 

The journey is not all the time easy, but when we are clear who we are following we can trust that he has us. Last week some of us were together for my son Marq’s graduation from residency. He didn’t know who would come, he didn’t know who couldn’t get there, but he knew what was to happen for him. He knew that he had to continue on watching what God is doing. He didn’t know the prayers and tears and hopes that watered his way - but he continued on. Listen, sometimes it feels that we are all alone- but God! Sometimes it feels that no one understands-but God. Sometimes we can’t even figure it out- but God has already done so.  It’s his order that makes the difference. enough for now.

The Heart of the Father

Luke 15:20-24 NRSV 

20 “So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. “

Verse 20 is my favorite. Go back and reread 11-31 for this whole story. Although the prodigal son left, went through some stuff, he finally thought to go home. Let’s look at the heart of the father. He was always watching for his lost son. I find so amazing. I mean with everything one has to do- he was watching. 

When he saw his son, he ran to protect him. That was major as a man of his statue did not run. To run one had to tuck the robe between the legs, thus exposing leg. That is not what men of standing did. But this man ran and embrace his son stink and all. He knew his son’s scent through the stink. 

And then he restored him. He placed a robe on him reserved for guest, the ring on his finger symbolized honor and authority- sonship. Servants didn’t wear sandals. 

Listen bottom line, God watches even when we stray from him, it’s when we come to our right mind to turn back to him. When we can hear that voice “Come home.” He protects and then we are restored to sonship, daughtership. We were always that - but now we can recognize that. 

That’s the reader’s digest version. We can always return to God. He has already forgiven, we must forgive self. Happy Father’s Day! enough for now.

Do You Know What Time It Is

Ecc. 3: 1-11 NRSV

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 

2 a time to be born, and a time to die; 

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 

3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; 

a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; 

a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; 

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; 

a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 

7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; 

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

8 a time to love, and a time to hate; 

a time for war, and a time for peace. 

9 What gain have the workers from their toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. 11 He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”

When we understand that “For everything there is a season,” and that “He has made everything suitable for its time,” then we can begin to grow in the season we are in. There are three movements here:

The Certainty of the Seasons (1-2)

The Diversity of the Seasons (3-8)

The Mystery of the Seasons (9-11)

While our life is a season, there are many seasons in our life. Our response is to trust God’s timing for the season he has us in. To embrace the season he has us in. To grow through the season, learning in that that present moment what God has for us. We hold to some things, we let of some things. We walk away, we stay. We speak, we get get quiet. We can’t move effectively unless we are listening for and watching God move in our lives.