These are the boundaries of your land. [Numbers 34.12b]
I know this seems an odd scripture reference today to comment on, however, it is what is relevant to me today and so...
In my own journey - my life and devotion to God - like most who seek God, I too wish to know my boundaries! In other words, I wish to know what it is God has specifically spoken to me so that I might most accurately pursue it. More specifically, I wish to be right where God wants me and remain within the boundaries of that particular area - whether it is spiritual or geographical.
It is noteworthy that Yahweh defined Israel's boundaries with landmarks. Those landmarks were bodies of water, rivers, streams, cities, mountains, and valleys. What is interesting about these landmarks is that some of them naturally provide a boundary (like a Sea) while others must be discerned (like an imaginary line between a body of water and a mountain peak).
Spiritually speaking, bodies of water could be likened to the Word of God that limits our lives to a certain set of actions. The Ten Commandments would be a good analogy of a body of water. Likewise, there are "streams" between bodies of water that allow us to limit our activities like the Word of God indicates to us things we should not do because they are 'linked' to one of the Ten Commandments. These boundaries are not difficult to determine!
Interestingly enough, mountain peaks may speak of those times when we enjoyed a "mountain top experience" where we were sure God spoke to us. It is up to us to discern that imaginary line between the Word of God (a body of water or rivers and streams from that body) and the mountain peak (where the Spirit of God has spoken specific direction to us) and remain within that boundary.
Frankly, valleys have a purpose too. Valleys , much like the mountain peak experiences, could represent those low times in our lives that we easily recognize as a significant 'landmark' that serves as an indicator of our life-boundaries.
Cities speak of people. And, like it or not, we are responsible to coexist with people in our lives and this fact is, in itself, a boundary!
So, with this being said, perhaps we would do well to review our lives in light of the Word of God (both direct commandments and indirect), specific direction spoken to our spirits by the Spirit of God ('mountain-top' experiences), lessons learned ('valley' experiences), and the people in our lives. It could be, that we have a clearer map of our boundaries than we think!
Certainly, the Word of God defines clear boundaries to us. Mountain peaks, valleys, and people (cities) however are subject to what God speaks to our hearts about them (not every mountain top, valley, or person is a boundary). But I think each and every one of us recognizes when we have those 'mountain-top' or 'valley' experiences that serve as boundaries in our lives. Likewise, I think each of us recognizes the people God has placed in our lives as reference points as well!
It is no doubt a good exercise for each or us to review the 'landmarks' in our lives.
Certainly, the Word of God defines clear boundaries to us. Mountain peaks, valleys, and people (cities) however are subject to what God speaks to our hearts about them (not every mountain top, valley, or person is a boundary). But I think each and every one of us recognizes when we have those 'mountain-top' or 'valley' experiences that serve as boundaries in our lives. Likewise, I think each of us recognizes the people God has placed in our lives as reference points as well!
It is no doubt a good exercise for each or us to review the 'landmarks' in our lives.
Father, help me to review my own life in reference to Your Word, the times I have felt You the greatest, the times I have felt You the least, and the people in my life... Help me to see the boundary lines that these references form in my particular life!
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