I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD (Psalm 71:16)
When God moves we are to move with Him. When God rests we are to rest with Him.
And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.
And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. (Numbers 9:19-23)
We are to go where God wants us to go and stay as long as He wants us to stay. When He tells us to leave we are to leave.
Two EQUAL Errors
1. Moving when God wants us to stay.
2. Staying when God wants us to move.
We need the direction of God in all our decisions.
Without God’s guidance, Paul would have stayed in Jerusalem when he was supposed to leave.
And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. (Acts 22:17-21)
We may be tempted to leave somewhere when God wants us to remain.
The remnant in Jerusalem were told by the Lord, through Jeremiah, to stay in the land but they wanted to depart.
If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you… (Jeremiah 42:10)
The proud do not allow God to direct them. They move on their own, according to their own thoughts and desires.
Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the LORD our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:
But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.
So Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, and all the people, obeyed not the voice of the LORD, to dwell in the land of Judah. (Jeremiah 43:2-4)
When God is not directing our movements, we will be directed by other forces that play upon our fears.
A spirit of fear seeks to control our movements in two ways:
1. Fear causes us to leave a place when we ought to remain.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)
2. Fear causes us to be frozen and immobile when we ought to move.
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. (Numbers 13:30-31)
Courage is the strength to move forward.
We must have courage to go when God wants us to move.
And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. (Deuteronomy 31:7)
Our courage comes from knowing that when God calls us to move He goes with us.
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
When God calls us to act we are to stop waiting and move forward.
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. (Numbers 13:30)
When God wants us to leave a place we must do so with haste.
Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven (Genesis 19:22-24)
When God tells us to hurry up we must be instant in our obedience. There is danger in delay.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. (Psalm 119:60)
God will chasten us if we do not move according to His timing.
But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us.
And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill. And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.
So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill. (Deuteronomy 1:40-43)