If you are a smart phone user, you likely have most of your important data stored “in the cloud.” Let’s give being connected to the cloud a new meaning. When God delivered His people out of Egypt, He led them to where they should go with a cloud by day and fire by night. Then when the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle. Numbers 9:17-23 is a lengthy passage, but I feel like in order for you to connect the dots that I am trying to draw, we need to read the entire seven verses! Starting with verse 17:
“Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever He told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle. If the cloud remained over the tabernacle for a long time, the Israelites stayed and performed their duty to the Lord. Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, as the Lord commanded. Then at the Lord’s command they would break camp and move on. Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on. Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.” Numbers 9:17-23 NLT
Do you ever feel like God is moving you in a new direction? Maybe you talk yourself out of believing it is from God because it just does not make sense. You tell yourself it couldn’t be God because this new direction is something you have never tried before. I will have to admit, when I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to take action, sometimes I look for every excuse that it could not be Him instead of looking for every reason that it could be God. Looking back at the scripture, you can see there was nothing predictable in the moving or settling of the cloud; all was dependent on God’s sovereignty. They could be camped for two days or a year, but one fact was absolutely certain, they would be moved because they had not yet reached the promise land. In other words, don’t get comfortable where you are. Always expect to be moved when following God, and when you do move, if you keep your eye on the cloud, you will walk in the path of the cloud-in His path. Oh how wonderful it would be if God would show up in a physical cloud and lead us exactly where we should go so that we always knew we were following His plan for our lives. So how can we be connected to the cloud if there isn’t an actual cloud? A good starting point is to read His word. Even if you feel like you do not understand the Bible, read it and plant the words in your heart. Maybe you are already a faithful follower but feel like you lost yourself somewhere in the movement of the cloud and need a clear direction. Ask yourself these questions: Have I been reading in God’s word? Have I been applying it to my life? Have I sought council from godly people in my life? If you can check yes to all three, then don’t second guess the Holy Spirit’s promptings. Take it day by day, just like the children of Israel. He may move you tomorrow but because your eye is on the cloud, you will be headed in the right direction.
Following God’s direction will take us to unexpected places and situations, but Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
So, are you connected to the cloud?
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