Clouds part 5
This is one aspect of the cloud that I didn't have a chance to really get into in this Rant series. When the people of Israel left Egypt, "...the LORD went before them by day in the pillar of acloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pilar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." (Exodus 13:21-22). God was the cloud. Not just His hand--though that, to me, is a powerful picture of His provision from us. Giving, as John 3:35 says, all things into Jesus's hand (our hand). Because of His love for us. When it was light outside, He showed us the way by showing us a cloud. When it was dark out, He showed us the way by showing us a pillar of fire. Point being, no matter what it looks like... God has our back. He's always there for us. No matter what. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. He will lead, if we are willing to follow. And I think it's both powerful and important that He was leading from the shape and image and picture of a cloud. Look at what Paul has to say about this in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." It wasn't just God leading them. It was God baptizing them. Into Himself. The cloud engulfed the temple that Solomon built to the point that the priests couldn't even enter into it or minister therein. Because, when you get right down to it, it's all about God. HE will minister HIMSELF, if we get out of the way and let Him. If we stop trying so hard. If we assume a posture of rest. I heard a preacher say it like this, "When you work, God will rest. But when you rest, God will work." I believe God is too much of a gentleman to force His will and His way upon us. He makes it available to us. He makes HIMSELF available to us. He leads... but He doesn't drag us behind Him kicking and screaming. And I really like the part that Paul wrote about the Rock that followed them. The people had God in front (as a cloud or a pillar of fire) and Jesus behind them. They were completely covered. He was leading the way, and He was their rear guard. A father is a protecter. And there is no greater father than our heavenly Father. There is no greater protector than God. I think I might get into that starting tomorrow. How He is our refuge and our safe place. But for tonight I want to finish this Rant series with the idea that we've been working on for the last few days. Clouds aren't necessarily bad. The "bad," black, low-flying cloud was swept away by the wind of the Holy Spirit. The Lamb of God took away the sin of the world. And now we can see things clearly--whether it is light outside or dark. Because God takes the shape that we need Him to take. Be it a rain cloud in a dry season or a pillar of fire in a cold, dark night. Whatever we need... we find it in God. Whatever we need, we find it in love!