Thank you!
$810 has been raised toward the prayer ministry conference in November. We're almost halfway! As a way of saying thank you, we want to send you a free book if you make your donation of $36 or more before August 15. Dwight Clough Ministries Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation. http://www.dwightclough.com/donations.html
Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. — Numbers 9:21-22
"Man shall not live by bread alone," Jesus answered the devil in the wilderness, "but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." All our human inclination drives us to live by bread alone — to make plans for our own survival and success, to engineer our lives, to fix our problems, to determine our own destiny.
Along comes God and plants us in the wilderness — not just for a day, but for days on end, tedious and monotonous days of going nowhere. About the time we finally accept our wilderness assignment, about the time we settle into the routine and get comfortable, the cloud lifts and we move on, not really knowing where we will be going.
Why the wilderness? Why the chaos of a life we cannot control? Why the right turn, left turn, move forward, move back — a dance without a destination? Why?
Generations later, believers would ask each other: What was it like to see the glory of the Lord? What was it like to eat the bread from heaven? What was it like to know the leading of the Lord so clearly? What was it like to have God Himself inside the camp?
I don't have all the answers here, but it seems to me that sometimes God disconnects us from our dreams and our schemes so He can have us — just us — to Himself. Is it really a dance without a destination? Or if we are in the arms of the One who loves us, is it possible that we have already arrived?
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. Dwight and his wife Kim provide prayer ministry for inner healing / transformation and coaching in prayer ministry. He is available to speak to your group or church. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.