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「雲彩....停留....以色列人....不起行。」（聖經民數記九章 19 節）
「不起行」比「起行」更難順服。為什麼呢？因為人的天性都是喜歡變動的 ── 拆帳棚、探新奇；雲彩緩緩地收上去，威風凜凜地行在他們前頭....啊！多麼威武！路上有興奮、有美景，多麼有趣！可是一到了雲彩停留的時候，他們也只得停留了。
無論雲彩停留的地方多麼討厭、多麼炎熱；他們的肉體多麼難堪、多麼急躁；停留的地點多麼危險、多麼荒涼；他們沒有選擇的權利，他們只得耐性等候。
大衛說：「我曾耐性等候耶和華；祂垂聽我的呼求。」（詩四十篇 1 節）大衛得到耶和華的「垂聽」，是「曾耐性等候」的。 神怎樣對待舊約時代的信徒，也會照樣對待新約時代的信徒。
真的，神常喜歡叫我們等候。當我們面對面遇見可怕的仇敵的時候，在驚恐之中，危險之下，我們就求問神說：「神啊，我們可不可以跑開一點呢？現在豈不是拆帳棚的時候了嗎？我們豈不已受盡了痛苦和失敗嗎？我們可不可以暫時逃避炎熱，往青草地上和可安歇的水邊去休息一下呢？」
沒有回音！雲彩停留了，我們也只得停在那裡；但是無論如何，路上嗎哪、活水、保護、安慰，是一定有的。神從來不叫我們停在一個地方，而不給我們祂的同在和日常的供給的。
小子哪，你當耐性等候，不要匆匆向前衝去！停留在你原來的地位上，直到雲彩清清楚楚的向上收去。因為這是你的主所喜悅的！祂是不會使你「太遲」的！──日誠報 (Daily Devotional Commentary)
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“When the cloud tarried…then the children of Israel…journeyed not.” (Num. 9:19.)
This was the supreme test of obedience. It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host. Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place. But, ah, the tarrying.
Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger-there was no option but to remain encamped.
The Psalmist says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” And what He did for the Old Testament saints He will do for believers throughout all ages.
Still God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse? May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters?
There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies.
Wait, young man, do not be in a hurry to make a change! Minister, remain at your post! Until the cloud clearly moves, you must tarry. Wait, then, thy Lord’s good pleasure! He will be in plenty of time!--- Daily Devotional Commentary.
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