The Simplicity of Obedience Numbers 9: 18-22

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God desires His people understand the completeness of His counsel.

1) When God says go, go.  V. 18

(at the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed)

The counsel to be a doer of the word (James 1: 22) means going.

God’s directive to move is a companion to the fruit of right timing.

Opportunities come but may not tarry. When God says go, a believer should go.

Self control, a fruit of the  Spirit, is instant obedience to the promptings of God’s Spirit. 
Obedience is a protection to a believer, guarding his heart from foolishness and temptation.

Believers should not allow slackness in obedience nor complacency.

2) Where God leads, follow.

(journeyed)

song- Follow Jesus, I will follow Jesus.

Follow wherever God leads. Only go where God leads.

Wait on God’s leadership.

Ponder the path of your feet. Prov. 4: 26, 27

God is a leader.

The history of the Bible is of God’s accurate leadership. Psalms 22: 8

3) Where God stops, tarry.v.18

(and at the commandment of the Lord they encamped;)

Our walk with  the Lord is not always a push on walk.

There are reasons for tarrying.

It may be that danger is ahead.

It may be that God knows we are approaching our limits.

It may be God’s timing.

It may be God giving an opportunity to another to repent or to respond to God in some way.

Tarrying where God stops is profitable.

Luke 24:49  tarry in Jerusalem- power from on high. Mark 14: 34  Jesus in the garden.  
Habakkuk 2: 3

Tarrying when God says go is not profitable. 1 Kings 13: 14

4) Where God gives rest, rest.  V. 18, 23

(as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.)

Where a believer has been engaged in the trials of faith and spiritual warfare, there is
need of rest. (Mark 6: 31)

Rest was God’s provision for a laboring heart. Heb. 4: 9-11

Too many of God’s people labor in the flesh.

Too many of God’s people do not take physical rest from their activities. 
There is the equivalent of Sabbath defilement today.

Resting in the Lord is an ordained way of lightening burdens.

5) When God tarries, keep trusting.  V. 19, 22

(and when the cloud tarried long, … the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord,)

God has a reason for tarrying. Don’t become impatient.

Remember the children of Israel and the golden calf. Exodus 32: 1

Remember King Saul and Samuel   1 Samuel 13: 8-14

When there are not exciting things going on some want to stir something up.

Keep trusting when the observable signs wane. God has not forgotten or

passed by.

6) When God is silent, be silent.  V. 19, 20

Be still…  in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15

We have a message when God gives a message.

We are a messenger when God needs a messenger.

When God is silent, believers must be especially attentive to the Lord.

Silence can be very virtuous. Silence can be very reverent.

Silence may provide exposure to and an entrance to wisdom.

Silence may be protective. Prov. 10: 19;  Prov.  17: 28. 
If we don’t have something to say, don’t.

Silence may allow the majesty of God’s presence to ring out.  Rev. 8: 1

7) When God initiates, respond.   V. 21, 22, 23

(and so it was …then they journeyed, whether it was by day or by night …or whether it 
were two days, or a month…; but when it was taken up, they journeyed)

When God is releasing His authority, respond with full advantage.

Where God’s presence is, that is the place to be. Ex. 33: 13-15

When God encourages our obedience, He will direct our pathway.

When God encourages our faith, he provides substance.

When God encourages our steadfastness, He is the victory.

When God is placing us in circumstances for his glory, yield.

When  God is burdening our hearts, submit and pray, seek Gods’ face.

When God is convicting our hearts, yield and repent.

When God is proclaiming truth, agree with and obey.

When God is giving special counsel, be attentive.

Respond to God’s initiation.