The "cloud"!

Exodus 13:21-22 & 14:24-27                                  (ESV)
"21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of "cloud" to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
22 The pillar of "cloud" by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people."

"24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of "cloud" looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,
25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians."
26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen."
27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea."



Have you ever been looking directly at something yet couldn't see it?  The Egyptians were trying to catch up with the Israelites and they were about to overtake them at the Red Sea.  The Egyptians weren't blinded by GOD, they just couldn't see because of "the cloud" THE LORD placed around the Israelites.  They continued until fear and doubt from "the cloud" around the Israelites begin to impact their movements and progress (v24&25).

Unless we KNOW GOD, and are in a good relationship with HIM, the "clouds" of this life can cause us great fear and trembling, just as it did for the Egyptians. (v.24).  The Spirit of GOD has not weakened with age nor has HE grown weary.  GOD is still as Holy as HE ever was and evil will continue to be overtaken by HIM.  Don't think you are immune from "the cloud", for GOD can use any number of things to reveal your weaknesses and fears.  The Egyptians were known to be fierce warriors, but the Spirit of the Living GOD will cause all men to begin looking for a way to run from the seemingly futile attempt!

Recently I wrote how it seemed I could read scriptures previously read and see something that I had never seen before.  Maybe GOD has a "cloud" in front of my eyes or maybe I just can't SEE the point for some other reason.  There is NO DOUBT in my mind that GOD IS IN CONTROL and HE will reveal things to us when HE chooses to.  The Egyptians in this passage could not see the trap that GOD ALMIGHTY set for them and they fell right in place so GOD would be glorified!.

GOD is a merciful God and HE is way more long suffering than anything else in this world.   But GOD is still HOLY and it is impossible for HIM to fellowship unholy behavior.  The only chance I have is to allow JESUS CHRIST to be my substitute (1 Peter 2:23-25).  The "cloud" some people have around them cannot hide the unholiness they have surrounding them, and remember, GOD cannot fellowship unholiness.  When GOD is being glorified with our actions HIS long-suffering will be more abundant, but when our actions are self-centered HIS "cloud" may not be as protective as we desire it to be!!