Assassins Among Us #25: The Spirit as Daily Guidance

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Yesterday we talked about access and intimacy. But intimacy isn’t passive. It leads somewhere.

Israel didn’t just admire the cloud. They followed it.

FOLLOWING THE CLOUD

“At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped.” — Numbers 9:18 (ESV)

When the cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud stayed, they stayed. Their entire journey was dictated by paying attention to God’s presence and responding to His leading.

This is what following the Spirit looks like.

FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” — Romans 8:14 (ESV)

Notice: “led by the Spirit.” Not pushed. Not dragged. Not forced. Led.

Leading requires following. And following requires attention.

Israel had to watch the cloud. They had to notice when it lifted. They had to be ready to move or ready to stay based on what the presence was doing.

We have to do the same with the Spirit—except the watching is internal, not external.

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” — Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)

The Spirit speaks. The question is whether we’re listening.

WHAT HINDERS THE LEADING

Israel sometimes complained about where the cloud led them. They grumbled about the route. They questioned the timing. They wanted to go back to Egypt.

We do the same thing.

The Spirit prompts us to forgive, and we argue. The Spirit convicts us of sin, and we justify. The Spirit leads us into uncomfortable obedience, and we look for an easier path.

“Do not quench the Spirit.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (ESV)

Quenching isn’t dramatic rejection. It’s subtle resistance. It’s ignoring the prompting. It’s explaining away the conviction. It’s choosing your own way instead of following His leading.

Israel could see the cloud and still refuse to follow joyfully. We can sense the Spirit and still refuse to respond obediently.

DAILY DEPENDENCE

The cloud moved at unpredictable intervals. Sometimes it stayed for days. Sometimes it lifted after one night. Israel couldn’t plan ahead. They had to depend on God’s leading moment by moment.

This is the life of following the Spirit. Not a one-time decision but daily dependence. Not a map you’ve memorized but a Guide you’re following. Not knowing the whole route but trusting the One who does.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

TOMORROW: THE SPIRIT AS DAILY SUSTENANCE

Following requires fuel. Where does the strength come from?

Most ministries stay in the safe middle. We bring marginalized truth back to the center.

THE PROPHET’S MARGIN Truth From the Narrow Place

ONE TRUE LIGHT MINISTRIES Damascus Road Journey: STOP. LOOK. LISTEN. LIVE. www.onetrulight.org