The Cloud and the Spirit

Verse of the day: Exodus 40:34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

How often have we read the Bible and thought to ourselves, “If only God would show Himself like that now, how much stronger my faith would be.” “If only I could see Jesus, and walk with Him physically, I would be so much more faithful.” If I had to guess, and be honest, I would say that none of us would be more faithful than we are now. Stop and think about this for a moment with me. The Israelites saw the presence of God in a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire that guided them, protected them, and parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Yet, once they got across and did not have water to drink, or later when they did not have food to eat, what did they do? Did they call on God with faith to provide for them? No, they did not. They murmured against God and Moses (Exodus 15:24; 16:2-3). Later, even though they could see the cloud atop Mount Sinai, while Moses was with God, in God’s presence they committed idolatry and worshipped the golden calf (Exodus 32). After all that they had seen God do, and after God dwelling with them in a pillar of cloud, as we see here, the Israelites still failed to trust God to bring them into the Promise Land. What caused them to falter, even though they could see God’s presence? The put their eyes on the giants that were already living in the Promise Land, and compared them to themselves, rather than to the God who had made Himself physically present with them and showed them, with great power, what He could do (Numbers 14). 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 reads, “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” Even though they dwelt in the very presence of God, their lack of faith displeased Him. Stop and think about Jesus’ ministry. Even though He came and dwelt among His people, He was rejected (John 1:11). He performed miracles; yet, that did not soften the hardened hearts of the unbelievers. Even Jesus’ own disciples faltered in their faith even though they were physically with Him for three years. I say all that to say this…today, we have the greater blessing. Jesus said this to Thomas when he doubted Jesus’ resurrection in John 20:29, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We may not have a pillar of cloud or be able to see Jesus physically, but we do have a faith and ministry that is far greater because we, as born again believers have the Holy Spirit of God indwelling us. Moses could not enter the Tabernacle when the glory of God filled it (v. 35). The same occurred with the priests in the Temple that Solomon built; they could not continue ministering because God’s glory filled it (1 Kings 8:11). Today, this same glory seals us and indwells us. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 tells us, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” Unlike the pillar of cloud that could leave the Tabernacle, the Temple, and the presence of the people, or unlike the physical presence of Jesus, that left and went to be with the Father, the Holy Spirit indwells us and never leaves us (John 14:15-18; Hebrews 13:5). The same Spirit that took part in creation, who raised Jesus from the dead, who is God Himself, indwells us (Romans 8:10-11). 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reads, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” The glory of God indwells us, secures us, and is always with us. He leads us. This is the proof that we have that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14 tells us, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” He uses the Word of God to guide us. Psalm 119:105 also tells us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” What this means for us today is that we are never alone and capable of having an intimacy with God that was not possible before Jesus came. How do we reflect this in our lives today? Can the world see that glorious power manifested in us by the things we say, our attitude toward God and others, or by the things we do in serving God and others? Let us make the glory of God visible to others by the way we live and represent God here on earth.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).