Delighting In Safe Pasture With Linda: God’s Signs Are Everywhere

Title: God’s Signs Are Everywhere
Date: March 29, 2022

I always marvel at God’s word. There are so many details in the Bible which we may be inclined to skip over or regard as insignificant. Have you ever just glossed over some of the first chapters in the book of Numbers? At first glance they seem like just a bunch of facts that really have no purpose for us today, but hidden in those words are sweet glimpses into the heart of our Maker!

Numbers 2 is dedicated to the arrangement of the twelve tribal camps of Israel. God told Moses and Aaron how and where to pitch the tents and in which order and distance from each other. It was strategic and with divine purpose. God always wisely orders things. What may appear to us as random, God ordains with order and organization. The layout of the camp around the tabernacle points directly to Jesus. John 5:39 says, “Scripture testifies about Him,” even in places that may surprise us.

A famous evangelical preacher named Chuck Missler explains the pattern of the Israeli camp and its specific formations as nothing short of a grand purpose. There is not enough space in this post for me to include all the details. I suggest you research it on your own! It’s not only fascinating, but it’s a beautiful picture of an orderly God who loves details and reminds us that He is in every single one…and with that comes divine protection. When the actual formation of the camp is seen from an aerial perspective, it is actually shaped in the form of a perfect cross. It fascinates me that the Lord placed the twelve tribes in this fashion. It is such a visual of His sweetness! His desire is to show us He is always in our planning, even the smallest details of our lives!

The cross is more than just a universal symbol of Christianity. The simple design carries the message of love and fulfilled promises. To believers across the globe, it is a very beloved symbol which holds meaning, hope and a tangible representation of what we value most in our lives. It’s the reminder of what is here with us now and what is yet to come: the presence of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. The cross is our bridge between earth and heaven.

I wonder if the Israelites were aware of this at that time? I highly doubt it! Even in the midst of their wandering, battling and what seemed like never ending trial, their God covered them and held them together by the sign of the cross. On the other hand, King Balak of Moab had persuaded a prophet to place a curse upon the Israelites. However, as he reached the top of the mountain in which he could see the entire Israelite camp (which by the way consisted of hundreds of thousands of people), he saw the configuration of a cross. It’s no wonder at that point he reversed his plan to have a curse placed upon them.

Under God’s instruction the Israelites were to set the tabernacle, which was to be in the midst of them as the Tent of Pavilion, like a general is in the center of an army. It was to be equally a comfort and joy to them as a token of God’s gracious presence with them. The Lord knew it was profitable that the doors of their tents were to be made to look directly towards the tabernacle from all sides, so that each person should have his eyes always towards the Lord. Our loving Father understands the human need of tangible reminders.

Bringing this back to the times in which we live: We too are encamped by the cross as well. Our lives parallel those of the Israelites. We may not realize how the Lord strategically works on our behalf, but we can be sure from His heavenly point of view He sees the cross which blankets our lives and we are carefully protected, loved and cared for by His design and strategic purpose and plan. No curse on this earth can inflict us when we are covered by the cross.

I am a firm believer in God-given signs in times of need. He continually blesses us with tangible reminders. The cross happened to be one way the Lord chose to comfort me in a particularly difficult season in my life. He continually had my eyes fall upon crosses! It didn’t matter where I was. From waking up in the middle of the night and seeing a light formation of a cross on my wall, to this particular time I’ll share with you. It was a moment I will never forget!

We were vacationing at a friend’s home where we had visited many times before. It was a beautiful home facing the Colorado River and off in the distance there were beautiful hills stretched out to the sky. My favorite thing to do there was to prepare my cup of coffee in the morning and sit on the balcony before the hustle and bustle of boats that would soon be speeding back and forth on the river. The sound of the water passing by, the birds sweetly singing and a gentle warm breeze always quieted my soul. This particular day, as I looked up in praise to the Lord for that brief moment, I glanced across the river to a hill. Something caught my eye with its twinkle. It appeared to be something glistening, a light flickering as if to be noticed especially by me! Once it got my attention the sun shifted and I could actually see what it was: a tall and very obvious cross! In all those years of visits, I had never noticed it before!

Coincidence? Some may say yes, but when our Father shows himself to us, our spirit and every fiber in our being recognizes the Messenger. And the message is always clear! He cares about every detail of our lives and suddenly we are filled with hope.

I have a granddaughter who sees hearts everywhere she goes. Whether it’s a heart-shaped rock, leaf, rainbow heart image on a wall reflected by sunlight, to lately even heart-shaped clouds. Somehow, she always spots them! I tell her it’s Gods private reminder to her that she is so loved. She just smiles. It makes me wonder how many others have walked right past those heart-shaped rocks, leaves or clouds, but never took notice. The difference is that she intently looks for them!

Lord, I pray we can have the same childlike mentality, intently anticipating your beautiful messages to us in the sweetest of details. For they are everywhere we look, and even in the scriptures we can find so many treasures, even in the places we never expect. Father give us eyes to see and ears to hear your guidance and gentle nudges of tender love!

Isaiah 7:11a
Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God.

Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. So if they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. We can make our plans, but the Lord directs our steps.

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Here is a fun fact which once again cannot be sheer coincidence! Did you know there is a protein that is formed in the shape of a cross that holds all our cells together? This protein called laminin is considered to be the “glue” which holds all tissue together. Our skin, internal organs and muscles would all fall apart without the glue protein. The book of Colossians says, “In Him all holds together.” That really delights me! It tells me nothing in this life is random! God ordered it and it became so!

Do you need a sign from God today, a special message? It can come in countless forms! Pray to Him and ask Him for a specific revelation! I’ve once heard that “God will not give us revelations unless we share them!” So be prepared to receive and then to share! He’s waiting with open arms!

Delighting in safe pasture,
Linda