What is Your Cloud?

Reading:   Numbers 9

In this chapter we witness the action of the cloud on the tabernacle by day and the light of fire on it by night.  Also, we see the cloud as compass for the Israelites, guiding them as to when they should travel and where they should go.

NUMBERS 9:21-22

21 And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed. 

22 Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. 

The cloud acted as a visual depiction of Gods command, "Come, follow me."  There was no need for discussion or debate amongst the people because the cloud was right in front of them, guiding them, they followed without concern for "why know" or "where are we going"; actually, there was probably a lot of concern, debate, whining, and complaining but the cloud still moved and the people still followed.

Like the Israelites, we too must give ourselves to the prompting guidance of our Savior and follow despite our misgivings.  There is a great paragraph from Matthew Henry on this point...

 The particular regard we ought to have to God in all our ways. In our affections and actions we must follow the direction of his word and Spirit; all the motions of our souls must be guided by the divine will; at the commandment of the Lord our hearts should always move and rest; in all our affairs we must follow Providence, reconciling ourselves to all its disposals, and bringing our mind to our condition, whatever it is. The people of Israel, having the cloud for their guide, were eased of the trouble of holding councils of war, to consider when and whither they should march, which might have occasioned strifes and debates among them: nor needed they to send spies before to inform them of the posture of the country, or pioneers to clear the way, or officers to mark out their camp; the pillar of cloud did all this for them: and those that by faith commit their works to the Lord, though they are bound to the prudent use of means, yet may in like manner be easy in the expectation of the event.

It's a simple matter of faith...trust in the compass...follow the guidance of our spiritual leaders and the burning of our hearts and our path will not lead us astray.

~Kipling