Thursday 2-5-15 (Home)
Scripture reading: Exod 39-40 Ps 15
Acts 12
S. Ex
40:34-38 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glorious presence of
the LORD filled it. Moses was no longer
able to enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and
the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the LORD. Now whenever the cloud lifted from the
Tabernacle and moved, the people of Israel would set out on their journey,
following it. But if the cloud stayed,
they would stay until it moved again.
The cloud of the LORD rested on the Tabernacle during the day, and at
night there was fire in the cloud so all the people of Israel could see it.
This continued throughout all their journeys. NLT
O. I am always
amazed when I study the extreme detail and ornate construction of this portable
tabernacle that was built carefully following God’s instructions to Moses. Finally, upon completion, the Lord God lowers
His cloud over it, showing His divine presence and approval. The cloud is illuminated at night to be
visible by the entire population of over a million people. God never removes this cloud during all their
travels. It serves as a guide as well,
lifting and moving whenever they were being told by the Lord to move on.
A cloud is a
mysterious thing. It has no fixed
shape. It cannot be grasped, weighed or
measured. Yet it can be clearly
seen. A cloud of smoke rises with the
heat of the fire and finally disappears as the fire burns out. But this special cloud, representing God’s
presence with the Israelites, only rises when they are supposed to move on to a
new location.
Every night, as the Israelites prepared for a night’s
sleep, they could go out in front of their tent and look toward the tabernacle
and see that fiery cloud and they would know that they were safe from an enemy
attack. Jehovah God is with us! In the morning when they arose and stepped
outside their tent, the glowing cloud was still there. They lived with this phenomenon for 40 years. Children were born and all their childhood
lives they saw the cloud by day and night.
It probably became as common as the rising of the sun or moon… no big
deal.
A. I recall
many years ago cartoonist Al Capp had a character that occasionally showed up
in his Li’l Abner cartoon called Joe Btfsplk who always carried a little black
cloud over his head and whenever he approached people something bad would
happen. I would like to have an opposite
type of cloud floating over me literally blessing people when I approach
them. How wonderful it would be to
carry that “Shekinah” glory hovering over my life in such a way that
unbelievers could recognize that God is with me… ready to bless them and their
lives! Moses’ face shone with glory when
he returned from being in close proximity to God. Paul refers to the shining glory of God on
the face of Moses and adds (2 Cor 3:18) “But we all, with open face beholding
as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory
to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (KJV) So here is the hidden secret of living with the
glow of God’s glory. It comes by
purposely taking time alone in the Lord’s presence, beholding Him… for there in
His presence, we are changed from glory to glory. Hang around Jesus enough and the glory cloud
will hover over your head.
P. Lord God of
Moses, let Your cloud descend upon me.
May I be conscious of Your presence every day and may I enjoy that
glowing light to illuminate my way by night!
May I not expect You to move with me, but may I move with You. May I stay put when your cloud stays put, but
recognize when Your cloud is lifting and showing me a new direction to go. Dear Lord, just keep me close under Your
wonderful cloud. Amen
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