Day 85: All You Need to Know

Day 85

Numbers 8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1

In a culture that is constantly on the move, we are always looking ahead to what is next. We want to know all the answers to where our troubles will lead us, or know the next turn to take in our lives, or simply know all the answers to what God is doing. We live, wanting to hold a spotlight in order to see what is way up ahead, and judge others in what we see now, but God is more of a candle guy. He knows what we need to know as far as a candle can shine, not a spotlight.

I found it interesting when the men approached Moses and asked if they could celebrate Passover since they had made themselves unclean by touching a body.  Moses, approaching the Lord to ask Him instructions, learns what they are to do. It makes it seem so simple as we read this, to ask God what we should do in a certain situation. He doesn’t always answer so clearly as He did to Moses. One thing we should keep in mind though is that when we ask God for something or for direction, He may hesitate on answering because He wants us to learn along the way, growing us more deeply in Him. Other times, like this instance with Moses, He’ll answer right away because He knows we need to know right away. It’s all about having faith day to day and step by step in keeping our eyes on Him.

The cloud we read about that directed the people where to go when also seems like it came in handy in knowing God’s direction. The people only knew day by day though, if they would move or if they would stay put.  As a type A person, I always like to know what is coming. When am I traveling? Where am I going? I like to pack my bag in preparation of it and know what I will need. The people didn’t quite get that. They would see day to day where they would be. I think this is important because God has a reason for that. We often ask God to lead us where He wants us and show us what is ahead, but it seems like we hardly ever pray for Him to use us here and now, content in where He has put us. The people here had to rely on the day to day, rather than know where they would be later.  It took them 40 years to finally reach the Promised Land.  God had a reason for it.

It is best to face hardships in the same way at times too. We read Paul’s encouragement to the people of Thessalonica in his second letter to them, as they are facing persecution and hardship. Paul reminds the people of Christ’s return someday and His judgment on those who persecute. We seem to want justice NOW, and answers NOW, and relief NOW, but God doesn’t always work that way. If our faith is in Him and we can truly say “I trust You, Lord,” then we can have confidence that one day we will. Have hope in that. Today may be hard. This life may be hard. But God’s plan is much bigger than the depths of our mind. He is doing great things in the midst of your struggle. 

Paul reminds us to keep doing the good things our faith prompts us to do, and says he prays that the believers follow a life that is worthy of Christ’s calling. Honor comes when we live lives in complete faith towards Him. This doesn’t mean we’re not proactive with our faith, or that we are lazy stating God will take care of it all, but it means we live a life that is open to His leading, trusting that He will handle the judgment of our enemies and the steps of our lives.

Are you someone that needs to know what is up ahead in life? I know I like to be prepared having all I need for what is to come, but God doesn’t always work in that way. We like to hold a spotlight to see what is coming, but God gives us a candle so we know what we need to know now. Jill Briscoe said “If you know Christ, then you know all you need to know.”  Live life like you’re holding a candle in front of you, trusting that God will give you all the answers when you need them. Stay alert in His Word and leading. You know all you need to know.