Bible Study: Resting Under A Cloud

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Today is Sunday January 31, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Exodus, chapter 40. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-january-31

Title: Bible Study: Resting Under A Cloud
The last chapter of Exodus talks about the completion of the Tabernacle and God making His presence known in the form of a cloud and fire. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation...........“Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.” - Exodus 40:1,2, 38-40. Once the Tabernacle was built to His specifications, God hovered over the Tabernacle in a cloud. In fact, it shone so bright that even Moses could not enter it until He came up out of the tent. The cloud covered the tabernacle even in the clearest day, it was not a cloud which the sun scatters. This cloud was a token of God's presence to be seen day and night, by all of Israel, that they might never again question, “Is the Lord among us, or is He not?” It guided the camp of Israel through their wilderness journey. While the cloud rested on the tabernacle, they rested, when it moved, they followed it. Incidentally, this same phenomenon which had the appearance of a cloud in the day time shone like fire in the night time, the cloud was both a shelter from the heat of the sun and a direction of their way to the promised land. The fire by night was of the same use, it gave them direction and might have been protection for them from the wild beasts that were in the wilderness, who are afraid of fire. The cloud and fire is an emblem of the guidance, protection, light, joy, and comfort from God while in the wilderness of this world. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” - Hebrews 12:28,29.

There is something so amazing about clouds, on a hot summer day nothing beats a cloud passing over the sun to give a little relief to the heat and amazingly it does give quite a bit of relief. Yet, at times there are storms brewing in a cloud, so strong and powerful that one would not want to be under it. However, every cloud provides something so phenomenal that one would be crazy not to see that this is truly an act of God (no matter how much science denies it.) I remember when I use to pick my nephew up from school, we would walk home and at that time the sun was so hot, we would say, “God, bring a cloud over the sun to cool us off.” You know what? The majority of the time a cloud came by, but once in a while there was rain in it, amazingly enough though a schoolmate's parent would see us running and offer to take us the rest of the way home. You see, God is always hovering over us like a cloud, making sure we are protected. Once in a while He will let a storm pass by, but He is just making us stronger and more confident in Him through it. Ever see what happens in a storm? Sometimes, it is horrendous, but it often brings people together, not only putting others first, but God as well. People pray more, get saved, and help others more when tragedy occurs. God does not want to bring tragedy in our lives, but the truth is, unless we are faced with it we get all wrapped up in ourselves that we forget what's important in life. I for one am a testimony of that, but I thank God every day for talking me out of the mess that I was in. Praise God that if storms are among us all we have to do is call on Him and He will guide us to safety. “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” - Proverbs 1:33.

God is always with us, in fact, any person who has called on Jesus to save them, enjoys the presence of God through the Holy Spirit. That is right, every person who calls on Jesus enjoys the presence of God. This means we need an intercessor, someone willing to vogue for us on our behalf before God. Just as the Israelite's needed a priest or prophet to speak to God in order to communicate with Him, we need a priest or prophet to speak to God and be able to communicate with Him, our High priest, who was also a prophet, is Jesus Christ. Praise God! “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:26-28. God works all of the storms in our lives for good, if the storms are too much to bare, we can find peace right within us by simply calling on Jesus. He is right there, ready and willing to give you peace and protection. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

P.S. Once again, I apologize for being a day late with the devotions, all should be back to normal Monday evening.

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