“In the Bible clouds are always associated with God.” Oswald Chambers, July 29

          Almost everyone has at one time or another laid on the ground and stared at the clouds trying to figure out what they might represent. Clouds come in all sizes and shapes. Some fly at high altitudes, some hang low to the earth. Some are cheerful and some are dark. I have always been amazed when flying on an overcast gloomy day as the plane ascends to greater heights, then suddenly you rise above the dark cloud formations and bright sunshine and blue skies appear. There is always a nice day up there somewhere.

          Clouds give warning of a change in the weather. (Luke 12:54) Jesus ascended on a cloud (Acts 1:9) God guided Israel through the wilderness during the day by a cloud. (Ex. 13.21) Moses approached God who was in the thick cloud on the mountain. (Ex. 20:21)  The Son of Man will come again on the clouds. (Matt. 24:30) All the saints will meet the Lord in the clouds. (1Thes.4:17)  Clouds are used by God for His purposes in our lives.  They are signs of His providence and He uses them to guide us, to warn us and to earmark His movements.

          God provided a cloud for Peter, James and John during the “Transfiguration”. (Luke 9:34) They were afraid as they entered the cloud but God spoke to them and told them to listen to His Son (v.35). As the low lying clouds form in our lives and we see the storm approaching  are we looking for Jesus in the cloud or is there someone else? That someone else might be self or it might be the enemy. Either one can only have a place in the cloud if we invite them otherwise Jesus is always in the cloud. He promised that He would never leave us. There is always a brighter day when we rise above the dark clouds and let His light shine in. It’s always after the storm that God places His rainbow in the sky as a reminder that He is the original promise keeper.

          One of the most popular ways of describing the trinity is that of the example of H20. It can be water, ice or vapor. These are the same elements that clouds are made of. Perhaps we have the opportunity to meet Jesus in the clouds everyday. Truth be told, most of us probably spent more time staring at the clouds when we were children. When once again we  “become like children” (Matt.18:3), the next cloud God sends us  just might be a Teddy Bear.

Oswald Chambers quotestaken from “My Utmost For His Highest – July 29, Biblical quotes taken from NASB version