Bring On the Clouds!

“The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22

“Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David…  The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim… and all the Levitical singers,.. arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with… trumpeters;  and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord,

‘For he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever,’

“the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud,  so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God…

“I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.” 2 Chronicles 5:2,7,12-14; 6:2

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:1-3

Clouds were a welcome sight in the ancient near east, offering protection and needed shade, promising rain. God inhabited clouds with His shekinah presence to guide and bless His people. Their opaque nature piqued faith to trust what they represented, and to find a home in their midst. (1 Kings 18:41-44)

Often we are uneasy about clouds: threatening forecasts, confused misunderstandings, brooding emotions, unclear ways forward. In the flesh we want clarity, answers, no interruptions or messy tempers. We want to know what’s ahead with certainty. Yet the Lord often appears in clouds of uncertainty, speaks in the uncomfortable and unknown, awakening deeper dependence when we cannot see but must follow. Clouds are His vehicle for growth.

Rather than trying to escape clouds of difficulty or unsureness, what do we learn about ourselves in them that needs refinement or redirection? Do they cause increased stress, or confidence in God? What have we learned about Him and the certainty of His word?

What reminder of God’s glorious presence brings comfort and peace today? What steadfast witness of others encourages us in a present challenge in family or at work? How can we welcome lessons from looming clouds in our circumstances today?

Father, teach me from cloud experiences to believe and trust You as glorious Lord.