Arise, O Lord

And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” And when the Ark was set down, he would say, “Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel!” Numbers 10:35-36 NLT

Tiny Habits Author, BJ Fogg promotes a very simple method for establishing a new habit in your life. Simply, attach the new habit to an already established habit. For instance, do 5 squats after you brush your teeth. The goal is adding 5 squats. You write down (writing and speaking are the memory links for your brain)  the new goal like this.  “After I brush my teeth, I will do 5 knee bend squats.” This method works, you might want to read his book.

Why did I tell you this tidbit of information? I am incorporating a new habit in my life based on the Numbers 10 verses in today’s blog. Here are my statements. “When I drive past the corner of my driveway leaving my house, I will say, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!”, and, “When I return to my home as I pass my mail box I will say, “Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel!”

Moses made these statements in reference to God leading the way to move the entire Israelite tribe in the Wilderness. The cloud would lift up above the tabernacle and move in front of the direction the Israelites were to follow. When the cloud moved, they would move. When it settled and remained, they would stop and settle until the cloud moved again. They were not given the knowledge of where they would go next, only the training of obedience to follow the Glory of God in the cloud and fire by night.

Each statement leads into prayer for my day. When I speak, I submit my plans for the day to following the leading of the Lord. He already knows where I am going, the people that I will meet who might need encouragement, and the unbeknownst to me circumstances that will come my way. I say “Arise”, to ask for the Lord to lead. 

When I ask for the enemies to be scattered, I am asking for God to thwart all of the plans that the enemy would throw in my direction. I am not expecting a “perfect” day. Rather, I am asking God to help me through every situation in a way that pleases and honors him. I am asking that God would help me realize the traps of temptation to follow His way of escape. I am asking that harm to me or my family be averted. I am asking for boldness to face the roaring lion and for peace to cover my heart and mind like a blanket. God knows the traps the devil has laid for me, may He expose the enemies plans and make a way through the wilderness.

When I return to my home, I am asking for God’s presence to increase around me as I reflect over my day. The weariness of mind and body at the end of the day, is an openness to let my guard down. I need to eat healthy, get good rest, and not waste the evening vegging out in front of the TV. When I ask God to “Return”, I am expecting expressions of thankfulness and gratefulness to God to fill my mind and the conversations that Pam and I will have.

So there you have it. For the last week, I have been speaking these statements. I find it easier to remember to speak as I am leaving. I have not been as consistent in the returning. I am expecting to remember speaking it, now that I have attached the statement to passing the mailbox. I truly believe the “Returning” statement to be just as important as the leaving one.

Rise up, O Lord, for my friends today. Lead, guide, and protect. May they have ears to hear how much you love them and want to journey through their day with them.

Blessings

Love y’all

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