This morning, Spurgeon has me thinking about the Israelites’ tribal progression through the wilderness and how this relates to my own progression through mine.
I’m pretty sure I have some “Judahite” blood running through my veins. They were the leaders in the journey; in charge and in front … those given the privilege of a “first glimpse” of the road ahead without the worry of what’s been left behind. Visionary walking suits me. I like being the one trusted with the unfolding of a promise.
I think, perhaps, I have some “Levite” blood coursing through my veins. They found their place throughout the progression. Some in front, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, some in the middle of the pack, charged with the task of carrying the tabernacle and its furnishings. Regardless of their position, their responsibility was all things “worship-related”. “Set-apart” and consecrated walking is also a good fit for me. I like being the one trusted with the sacred things of God.
But the Danites? Those at the rear and trusted with the responsibility of clean up … a final look-over for the “left-behinds”? The last to set up camp and the last to see God’s “up ahead”? Well, I don’t think I’d choose it, but then again, I don’t imagine the choosing is up for grabs.
Some days we lead; some days we clean-up. There is merit and purpose in both positions. We don’t always see it this way. What we see is our position in relation to those around us. We are tempted to measure our “holy” worth by what our brothers and sisters are doing, forgetting all the while that the role we’ve been given is vital and necessary as it pertains to us corporately walking through to God’s land of promise.
God doesn’t intend for our journey of grace to walk in isolation. He means for us to step it in unison as his holy tribe, set apart for his consecration and en route to a completed end. To get there, we must be willing to walk our assigned positions with the understanding that God has ordered our steps and that he is faithful to make each one of them count for kingdom gain.
The trouble comes when we begin to think that we could “order” better … that somehow our wisdom exceeds God’s. Instead of seeing the worth in the place we’ve been assigned, we jockey ourselves for a front position, giving little credence and credibility to our seasons of “in the middle” or “at the back”.
Do you ever wonder if God grows weary with our assessment regarding his assignment for our lives? I’m certain I’ve nearly exasperated his patience along the way … times when I’ve frantically pushed my way “from the back” to try and make a place for myself “at the front”. Some days, I nearly exhaust myself from the spiritual gymnastics of trying to land myself in the place of my choosing.
What a waste of time.
I think we diminish God’s kingdom purpose when we allow ourselves the freedom to roam between camps, squandering time and expending energy on things that aren’t intended for our consideration. In doing so, we delay the process of our holy progression. How much better would it be to pitch our tents in the place of God’s intention and get busy with the assignments lying within our borders rather than reaching for a task never intended for our hands?
For the Danites, that assignment measured out differently than that of the Judahites and the Levites, yet all were equal in worth as it pertained to their moving on with God. All assignments were given with the end result in mind—getting to the Promised Land in tact and with the consecrated faith that comes from walking in corporate trust with God and his people rather than stepping in selfish isolation.
This is our wilderness pilgrimage, friends. Right here; right now. The life we live between two points—our birth and our burial—is the march of faith entrusted to our wandering hearts. This is our desert assignment. Life on earth is but our bridge to the life we will live in the full promise and truth of God’s forever.
Getting there isn’t an easy walk. It means pitching our tents in the place of God’s choosing and making it home until he loosens the pegs and pushes us onward. It means taking our rightful place within his ordered understanding and relinquishing our thoughts about how we could do it better. It means viewing our progression from different vantage points and being incredibly thankful with the fact we’ve been given the eyes to vision God’s promise in any measure, regardless of our positions.
It means keeping to the truth of kingdom perspective and making sure that no one, no single person placed within our allowable reach, misses the grace of God and, therefore, misses the march of freedom.
Perhaps this is the worth of walking with some Danite bloodlines, the beauty of standing “at the back” and with a fuller picture in view. They were the clean-up crew. When the Judahites and the other-“ites” missed a few stragglers—those who were forgotten and mistakenly looked-over in the chaos and confusion of moving ahead—the Danites were charged with their inclusion. With making sure that the “left-behinds” had the opportunity to walk the road of Promise.
I don’t know your position this day. Some of you are in the lead; some are muddled down in the middle, and some of you are hunkered down at the rear. Some of you don’t like your position. I understand. I’ve harbored similar feelings in seasons past; I imagine it won’t be the last time I find my discontent regarding my assigned position. Regardless of our place in the line-up of grace’s procession, we are all charged with its dispensation. With making sure that no one misses out on God’s journey of promise.
And when we take hold of that understanding, that we all are entrusted with a great grace from a great God to be a great influencer regarding a great kingdom, then any position we’ve been assigned becomes holy ground, consecrated and set apart for a great purpose.
It’s a great day to be a kingdom walker and to share this desert wandering with you, my friends. This week, I’m standing with the Danites as part of the clean-up crew … maybe even for the next season of my life. Where have you been called to stand this day? Don’t worry. If you feel left behind in the “push” forward, I’ve got you covered. So does God. You won’t be left behind. This is the beauty of our corporate walk together.
As always, my prayer and hope is for you to know your God more fully in this moment because of your spending some time with me at “peace for the journey”. We serve the only God who can be known. The more we press into his truth, the greater our understanding about who he IS.
Think on him this day, and be thankful for your position within the march to freedom … to Promise. I love you each one.
PS: If you would like to study further regarding the Israelites’ march to Promise, Numbers 2 is a good place to start.
Elaine, you definitely have a gift with words.
I am reminded daily of my desert assignment. After all, I live in the desert of Phoenix. But in this season of my life, I'm not in front. My Kingdom assignment for now is in my home sharing the love of Christ with my family and helping my husband in his work. But I do get to blog on Heart Choices and hopefully reach many, including a few loved ones who don't know the giver of all life …yet.
And so I continue to spend time each morning before my God, the only God on their behalf and ask for His strength, His wisdom, His peace in the midst of trying circumstances. And that God would indeed get all the glory!
What a great devotion. I totally agree that we spend too much time assessing God's assignment and wondering why we don't have HER position. Or why HE was given that job. Finding contentment in the day to day is key to true happiness and joy in the Lord.
Thanks Elaine.
Ok–I'm a Danite!!!! Cleaner upper, staying behind to make sure that no one else is alone!! I'm sure that I fit the bill for the others at times, but this is where God has placed me during this season, and I'm fine there!
This post made me think of Matthew West's song, "Going Through the Motions"–making sure that we do God's will and not ours even if we think we know best!
Enjoy your weekend!! Hope everything is going smoothly!!! We are headed off to the last swim event of the season after lunch! Talk to you soon!
Love you!
Susan
Insightful! Thanks for the reminder.
This is a good reminder to me to not only do whatever the Lord assigns with a willing and humble heart, but to extend thanks to those who do the work that no one really sees or acknowledges.
I'm not in front, either. I'm at the rear right now, but that's okay. I always get into big trouble if I try to make things happen according to my timetable, instead of waiting for God's perfect timing.
Another awesome post, Elaine! What a blessing you are to me, my friend.
P.S. Is it as busy at your house as it is at mine? I can't believe the crazy summer we are having. Shew…
Great words. It leaves one truly thinking…
Thank you for inspiring me to search deeper in the word and read God's message for me.
Definately speaking the same language.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
I never thiught about our journey in that context before. It's a lot to think about. As always 🙂
Elaine~ This was beautiful, powerful, and penetrating to my heart! I especially loved: "we all are entrusted with a great grace from a great God to be a great influencer regarding a great kingdom, then any position we’ve been assigned becomes holy ground, consecrated and set apart for a great purpose."
I don't know where I am right now – but I know that where I am is where God has assigned me, and it is for His great purpose.
Thank you for this thought provoking post. I loved it, and will probably be back to read it again.
May the Lord bless you right where He has put you. He is so good!!!
Jennifer
My life is so crazy right now I fear that I might be in all three positions and that is frightening. Once again, the Lord is giving me perspective on the priorities that He has asked me to set and I imagine each of the tribes of Israel had to do the very same thing.
Blessings to you.
Leah
You said: "God has ordered our steps and that he is faithful to make each one of them count for kingdom gain."
Yes… I agree! Even when we're defiant in our journey God uses it for his purpose. We may not comprehend; but one day in glory we will. It will ALL make sense.
Praise the Lord!
It means pitching our tents in the place of God’s choosing and making it home until he loosens the pegs and pushes us onward.
This has been my struggle the entire 8 years I have lived in Florida. One foot out the door all the time–hoping He puts me someplace else that I will like better. But I am starting–with my newly formed ladies group–trying to put down the pegs and pitch my tent. But I admit to a peak over the doorway a few times yet.
To be honest, right now I feel lost in the shuffle…I'm walking, but wondering if it's in the right direction.
Praying,
Joy
Great post!
I think I have "Levite" blood. It seems I've always had the responsiblity of being involved in the work of the church. My father was a pastor and missionary, and my husband is a deacon.
Thank you for reminding me to do "my" job cheerfully.
Hey Mrs. Elaine:)
This gets me thinking…I def want to be where God wants me to be, whether that is a seen position or an unseen position in the Body of Christ. What matters is that I'm faithful in little, faithful in much. Whatever part of this generation that I'm in heading toward that Promised Land, I have to be content with that. I want to be faithful even in little!!! You know in Luke 17:9-11 where it talks about being unworthy servants, just simply doing what you are supposed to do? That convicts me, because I'm not sure that I even do what all I'm supposed to be doing!
Very interesting post, Mrs. Elaine!
Blessings to you, ((HUGS!)), love in HIM,
katiegfromtennessee
Elaine, great post. This is what our pastor spoke on today. It is just like us to grumble and complain and want to be "in front" or "first" because that is where we find our importance. I struggle with that. It is very difficult for me at times to be at the end or not in the limelight. I don't think God has wired me to sit back or be the "cleaner upper". I don't know. I will have to give this some thought and prayer. I prefer to be the one in front, the one in charge. I have come to accept that and not look at it as a bad thing. I don't know if there will be a time when God will need me to sit back and let someone else be in charge. If so, I will hopefully "gladly" accept that stage. Oh, something hard for us control freaks isn't it!!
Thanks for giving me more to think on!!
Elaine, I've been thinking about our sometimes desert walks, sometimes mountain hikes, sometimes valley strolls… I have something special for you at my blog. It's something I've been thinking about doing for you for two or so weeks now and I figured I better do it before this baby comes!
You are a blessing to me. Be blessed, my friend (and send me your address, please) 🙂
Elaine,
This was an awesome post! I love what you wrote here, "The life we live between two points—our birth and our burial—is the march of faith entrusted to our wandering hearts. This is our desert assignment. Life on earth is but our bridge to the life we will live in the full promise and truth of God’s forever."
Just to think of our journey here on earth is our opportunity to learn of the fullness of God, trust Him, and allow His glory to be evident in our lives, makes the journey even more exciting. The difference between us and the Israelites is that we have the Holy Spirit in us, empowering us and guiding us into all Truth! What an exciting journey we should be experiencing. Loved everything about this post!
Christy
Another incredible devotion Elaine.
I'm thankful we get to experience all those positions during our journeys.
I always leave here with something to chew on.
Blessings my friend♥
I couldn't stop nodding throughout this piece, Elaine. We share a heart in this. Truly. It is way too easy to work for our own ways, instead of being content – no, blessed – to be right in the center of His will for us.
This morning I read Psalm 16. Verses 5-6 go relate to your devotion.
"Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup;
You have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance."
He is our portion. May we drink the cup–in humility and in obedience–that He has given us just as His Son did.
And may we find pleasure in the boundaries that He has established for us in this season of our lives.
We don't have to be first.
The best.
Or perfect.
I'm liking the sound of that.
Thanks for this devotion!
Thanks for stopping by the Cafe Elaine.
Just wanted to let you know Jordan's counts are heading down, and we are sooooooooo relieved!
I so appreciate your prayers and concern.
You are a wonderful friend♥
wifeforthejourney:
Thank you for your unwavering pursuit of our God. You may not feel as steady in your devotion, but you have always been such a strong example to me and to our children.
You have been such a blessing in the "position [you've] been assigned" and our home has become your "holy ground" to share with us all. It is a blessing to see how your time in blog-land has been an instrument in God's hands as well.
Hope you are having a great morning!
Love you,
billy