Clouds

When the children of Israel left Egypt under Moses’ leadership, God demonstrated His presence with them in a tangible way. “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. (Exodus 13:21, 22)

Before long, however, the people were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s pursuing army. While they huddled fearfully in their camp, “the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.” (Exodus 14:19, 20) When morning came, God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the Sea. The Lord caused a strong east wind to roll back the water, and the people crossed safely on dry land. Of course, that pathway enabled the enemy to cross, as well, but Moses held out his hand again, returning the Sea to its former depth, and every one of Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen were destroyed. The opening of the Red Sea was a huge miracle, but consider too that most unusual cloud: covering one camp in darkness and flooding the other with light.

Have you ever considered that what seems like difficulty to you—a cloud, so to speak—could actually be your protection and provision?

The God of the Israelites sent a cloud
To serve as a guard in the night.
Old Pharaoh’s host saw just the dark cloud,
But the children of God, a light.

The cloud that today is shading your path
Is there for God sees it’s fit.
Despair or deliverance will all depend
On how you are looking at it.

Looking on it from the viewpoint of one
Whose heart has been taught to see Him,
The cloud will reveal Him, burst forth into Light—
But if you rebel, your eyes dim.

This cloud in your way, then, spells life and peace
Or confusion and doubt—for you see,
You alone can be the one to decide
On which side of the cloud you will be.

Are you dwelling where Israel’s faith abounds
Or in Egypt’s rebelling sin?
The cloud being darkness or light to you
Depends on which camp you are in. –MM

MaryMartha
(All rights reserved)

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com