As I sit at my table and look out across the lake, the cold fog is beginning to rise off the lake into billowy clouds. The sun is beginning to pierce through, and heat up the air just enough to see the trees on the other side of the lake. I’m reminded of how God made himself known throughout scripture in smoke or clouds. Clouds are constantly moving and changing, but moving with a purpose.
Throughout scripture we see God showing up in clouds, covering his people, and leading his people. In Exodus 40:34-35, Moses could not enter the tent of the congregation because the cloud was covering it and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. God’s glory was so great that the priests were not able to carry on their duties. God’s glory completely filled the house.
Exodus 40:34-35 “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”
God guided his people in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night when they were headed to the promised land leaving Egypt behind. As long as they followed, there was no need to fear. God was allowing them to have a visible presence of himself.
In Isaiah 4:5, the cloud stood over the tabernacle in the wilderness. It was a symbol of God’s divine presence and favor. His protection covered them.
Sometimes clouds can appear dark and angry. Looking from the earthly side of an angry cloud causes us to cry out to God for His protection. An angry cloud may mean a fierce thunderstorm or an approaching tornado. In the south, where I live, these clouds are common in the spring. When angry clouds approach it is necessary to find proper shelter. A shelter that can withstand a possible tornado. It is a time when you feel helpless to change the circumstances. The same is true for the angry clouds that God allows. We cannot change the impending doom that lurks because of sin.
In the book of Nahum, we see the prophecy of the people of Nineveh. They had repented when Jonah had preached to them, but two hundred years later they again are living in rebellion against God. God is slow to anger, but when He is angry the only thing that can stop his wrath is repentance.
Nahum 1:3 “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”
Do you feel a great cloud hanging over you? Are there areas of your life that God has tried to get your attention to change, but you refuse?
A spirit of repentance can change an angry glooming cloud into a glorious bright cloud. When the Son of God shines in our lives, our clouds become bright and hopeful. As I sit here and look across the lake the sun is piercing through the fog that was so dense. It is burning away the heavy fog and the obscurity of the cloud is dissipating. That’s what Jesus does in our lives when we surrender everything to Him. He replaces the heaviness of sin with His glorious light. He fills our dark gloomy days with hope and brightness that only He can give. His love pierces through the clouds to light our way.
When Moses went up on the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments God’s presence was covering the mountain in a cloud. God called Moses into the middle of the cloud. What an awesome privilege to be called into God’s presence and covered by Him.
Exodus 24:15-16 “And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.”
In the gospels, we see Jesus at His transfiguration on the mountain with Peter, James, and John. This was the moment that God himself spoke out of the cloud, to declare Jesus as His Son in whom He was well pleased. It was a divine moment where God spoke to validate His Son’s authority and divinity.
Matthew 17:1-5 “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
When Jesus left this earth to return to Heaven, He was taken up in a cloud. When He returns, He will also return in a cloud. One day He will split the sky and will return in all His majesty and glory to receive those who are His. That day we will rise to meet Him in the clouds and live forevermore with Him.
Act 1:9 “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.”
Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”
The next time you see a foggy morning or look to the sky to see the clouds, remember their importance. Look to the clouds daily, because one day Jesus will be coming on one of those clouds!
