「雲彩在帳幕上停留許多日子，以色列人就遵耶和華的吩咐不起行。」－民數記9:19
當威風凜凜的雲彩緩緩離開會幕，百姓即時地拔營跟在後頭，這還是比較容易的事；畢竟，改變總是件歡喜的事。
能夠踏上旅程、欣賞風景、迎接下一個紮營地，實在令人歡欣鼓舞。
但是，等待的時刻就大不相同了...
不論這次雲彩駐留之處是多麼糟糕，炎熱的土地多麼令人難耐；不論他們肉體多麼厭倦、難熬，四圍的兇險多麼咄咄逼人，他們的選擇仍然只有一個，就是繼續紮營等待。
大衛說：「我曾耐心等候耶和華，祂就側耳垂聽我的呼求。」（詩篇40:1）神對待祂舊約信徒的方式，必定也照樣用來對待祂舊約之後的代代信徒。
神今日仍然讓我們等候。在你眼睜睜看著仇敵在你面前威嚇的時候，在你被驚慌和兇惡團團包圍，頭上的崩石眼看就要崩落的時候，難道不能拔腿就跑嗎？
難道不是該拔營起行的時刻嗎？難道我們的受苦還不到崩潰邊緣嗎？難道在炎炎的烈日下，就不能走到青草地、溪水旁嗎？
神此時卻緘默無聲。
雲彩停留了，我們也只能跟著停留；所幸仍有嗎哪、活水、遮蔭，和平安隨著我們。
神絕不會要我們持續逗留在某處，卻收去祂的同在、且不供應我們生活所需的。
年輕人阿，你當耐性等候，不要匆匆尋求改變！儘管看似虛耗，你仍須留在你的崗位上，直到雲彩確切離去。
等候吧，因為這令你的主喜悅！在祂永遠不會太遲！
－每日靈修集註
"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
