Pictures in the Clouds

Big puffy clouds that float in the sky are so much fun to watch. As a child, my brother, cousins and I would search for images in the clouds. When we were traveling in the car, there were no laws regarding restraints for children and the car had no seat belts. We would all pile in the back seat and take turns lying in the back window to search for cloud images. When we spotted something, we would shout with glee as the others searched to find the image. Such fond memories of the past.

As I watched the clouds this morning, memories of the past flooded my mind. Then I began to think of scripture with clouds/cloud in them.

God Led with a Cloud

Psalms 78:14, NKJV, “In the daytime also He led them with the cloud.”

In Exodus, the Israelites traveled with God leading them by a cloud. God’s presence on the mountain was evident because of a cloud covering. A cloud also descended on the Tabernacle when God was present. The Glory of God was evident by the presence of a cloud.

Jesus Ascended into the Cloud

Acts 1:9, NKJV, “Now when He (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they (disciples) watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

Crucified, dead and buried, Christ arose on the third day. He spent forty days, witnessed by many and spoke to them of the things pertaining to God. After the forty days, Jesus told the disciples that He must leave in order that the “Promise of the Father”, the Holy Spirit, can come and dwell with them. After He finished communicating with them, He ascended into the cloud.

Glory of God

The word cloud in Acts 1:9 is singular. It is most likely a reference to the Shekinah glory of God. Shekinah is not a word in the Bible, but in Hebrew it means dwelling and denotes the dwelling of the divine presence of God. Jesus, the Son of God, was taken up into the presence of God, the Father.

Praise God we don’t need to search for a cloud. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. God is present with each of us.

Jesus will Return in Clouds

Revelation 1:7a, NKJV, Behold He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him.”

I Thessalonians 4:16-17, NKJV, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Once again the Bible mentions clouds. The clouds represent God’s presence, protection and leadership. One day Jesus will return and those who trusted Christ will be caught up in the clouds. One Glorious Day!

Share with Others the Clouds of the Bible

Not long ago, I saw a “bear” image in the clouds. Emma, my granddaughter, was with me. I showed her the bear and asked her if she had ever searched the clouds for images. She hadn’t. What an opportunity I have missed to witness to others. Take your children or grandchildren outside, lay down on the grass and observe the clouds looking for images. While watching the clouds, share with them the Biblical story of clouds.

 

Paula Wallace

 

These are the Days of Elijah by Robin Markhttps://youtu.be/ca9LnzJnpjQ

Meditating on Pleasing God