Welcome to Truth Treasures,, a monthly post where I feature goodness from around the web which I hope will be helpful to you, as well as some personal tidbits, and other treasures. I pray you will be blessed and God will be glorified. Feel free to pass it along!
Reflections: The Wilderness Cloud
“Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents.” Numbers 9:17
My Bible plan has me reading in the book of Numbers these days. It was 5:30 am, the sky was dark, the world asleep—something I couldn’t say of myself all week. I sipped my coffee and whispered a groggy prayer for eyes to see wondrous things as I cracked open my Bible. I confess that I may have groaned when I realized Numbers was the next chapter in my reading plan. Numbers 9.
I was nearing the end of the chapter when the rhythmic repetition of a phrase offered my heavy eyes the encouragement they desired. the cloud settled…..the cloud lifted…..the cloud remained…..the cloud was taken up.
I continued to read between slow, heavy blinks to the end of the chapter. Just before I nodded off, my mind became alert to, and curious about, that cloud. Repetition in the Bible is a neon sign flashing “pay attention” to the reader. After another sip of coffee, I went searching for the treasure.
The tabernacle completed, a cloud settled upon it as a visible symbol representing the presence of God. God was with His people and He was leading them to the promised land.
As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, the Israelites were to remain in that location. When the cloud lifted, they were to pack up camp and follow the cloud until it settled again.
Not knowing when it would rise next, I imagine the Israelites kept a close eye on the cloud throughout their day. God and His next directive would have to be top of mind, even while they went about their ordinary daily tasks. When the cloud rose, no matter what they had planned for the day, their task was to pack up and move on until the cloud rested. To be left behind would be fatal in that wilderness.
As believers today, we don’t have a cloud that leads us on day by day. We have the Word of God and providence. We won’t see a sign showing us where to go today or tomorrow. We have God-ordained circumstances that guide us, lead us.
Pushing past my early morning slumber, I was convicted by my tendency to commit my day to the Lord, but then so often walk through it with my eyes on circumstances rather than the Lord. Though my desire is dependent trust upon the Lord, I sometimes walk in self-sufficient unbelief, responding instead of resting.
I’ve since made Psalm 131 a regular prayer. It’s titled: Simple Trust in the LORD. If you’re like me and often strive to figure it all out, I encourage you to join me in this prayer:
LORD, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever. Psalm 131
Here is where striving ceases. Here is where we find our peace. Thy will be done, not mine.
Reading Nook:
- Who am I kidding? I’ve not been reading anything this past month except my Bible (I highly recommend this book!), and school curriculum books. School has started and, it’s been a busy stretch. Check back next month! 😁
Around the Web:
- Lead Your Children into the Sanctuary, Kristin Couch
- Why Does Life Seem to Move Faster As We Get Older? , Brad Hambrick
- God’s Fingerprints, a short (1 min.) video by The John 10:10 Project
- True Prayer True Power, a (free to download) booklet of a C.H. Spurgeon sermon.
- Glimpse of Infinity, Ray Majoran – This is a link to sign up for Ray’s daily email which includes a beautiful photo paired with Scripture and a prayer. It is a fruitful addition to a cluttered inbox.
- Grant Horner’s Bible Reading Plan – I’ve shared this a couple of times already this year. It’s a 10-chapters-a-day reading plan. I started in late December, and I’m still with it. Some days I read one chapter slowly, look up related passages, and write about it; some days I read a faster 5-6 chapters and think upon it prayerfully; some days I read all 10. I’m not stressed about keeping up. The handy book marks guide me so I know what to read next. So far this year by the grace of God, I’ve read 1,280 chapters; including Proverbs 4 times, Job and Ecc. and Songs 2 times, Acts 4 times, and I’m almost through the New Testament a second time. I’m certain that’s the most I’ve ever read in a year! I encourage you to give it a try!
In Case You Missed It: Posts from a current series
- Part 1: The Deceitfulness of Sin
- Part 2: Know the Truth
- Part 3: Be Watchful, Sober-Minded
Life Through My {Camera} Lens
Camera settings: f1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO 125.
When life becomes hectic and my mind is busy being distracted, I like to grab my camera and go for a stroll in search of quiet, hidden gifts from the Lord. Like this glowing bit of yellow calling out from the shadows. It always lifts my gaze and brings peace.
“Consider the lilies…they neither toil nor spin;” Matt. 6:28
Camera settings: f3.5, 1/320 sec, ISO 100.
I planted a package of mixed wildflowers late in the spring. I prepped the soil, scattered the seeds. But then life got busy and I failed to tend that little garden. A harvest grew anyway.
“As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Ecc. 11:5-6
Camera settings: f 7.1, 1/200 sec, ISO 160.
My husband and I recently escaped from busy life for a quiet weekend here. He fished, I soaked in this view. We were both happy.
A Favorite Quote:
“God never condones wickedness in His saints, but He does pity their weakness. He never sees a saint in mourning without planning to clothe him in the sunlight of His love and mercy.” -William Gurnall
Thank you for spending time here! Happy fall 🍁!
