Clouds Matter

We continued to watch the sky-art that afternoon not realizing the common bond we enjoyed with other ‘sky-watchers’ through the ages. The life of a cloud is a mysterious and moving entity, ever changing in shapes and colors.

In science books we learn the how and why of a cloud. Clouds form when the temperature of the air reaches the condensation point, which is the point at which water vapor (which is an invisible gas) becomes a liquid. When it reaches this point, the liquid collects on the dust particles in the air and become visible. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/science/clouds.php

Then we learned names for clouds – three types — cumulus (Latin for heap) — stratus (Latin for layer) – and cirrus (Latin for curl). What is the Latin for ‘beautiful, curiosity, wonder in the sky…” Bellus curiositas admiratio caelum!

In every language, in every land clouds are searched for signs…. of life-giving rain, for beauty, and for storms. Clouds can darken the sun’s light during the day and plays peek-a-boo with the moon at night. Clouds play tag with the wind, scudding across the sky as far as we can see. Clouds hold hands with the wind to bring destruction by creating tornadoes and hurricanes.

Clouds can bring rain or sleet or snow or hail. People watch the stream of winds that circle the globe and prognosticate their path and the likelihood of water from the clouds that swing like a child on a swing.

Job 38:22 gives the words of God, “Have you entered the storehouse of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail? And again in Psalms 135:7, “He makes clouds rise from the earth; He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.”

In Psalm 33:7 – “He gathers the waters of the sea into jars, he puts the deep into storehouses.”

Growing up in Oklahoma, the tornado alley, we learned to watch the clouds for fearsome tornado winds. Dad and Mom lived through one of those tornado storms, huddled in the ‘Siemens Cellar’ behind the house. The small underground cellar must have seemed frail as the wind and the rain knocked against the wooden door of the entrance. They spent the duration of

the storm praying, and then praising God as the winds quietened. They went inside the house to determine the damage. Then without warning the tornado returned. They huddled in the kitchen under the 5-foot by 2 feet table, holding hands and lifting their voices for deliverance.

Years later, while flying alone, I looked out the window and saw a carpet of clouds below me. I saw the God-view of the earth. As we flew to our destination, the clouds parted and I peered below to see tiny cars criss-crossing the roads below. I saw even tinier people scurrying across streets. The verse came to mind…. Psalm 8:4, “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”

How many times, I wondered, is the word cloud or clouds are used in God’s Word? In the NIV version, I found 151 references. As I read each one, I noted how often God used a cloud to hide in and his glory shows through. The first one verse that caught my heart is in Exodus 16:10. While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.”

The glory of the Lord appears in the cloud? Fascinated I read further…. Exodus 19:9 – “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud…” Exodus 24:15-16 – When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it…and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day, the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud!”

I think of all the beautiful cloud-filled sunsets and sunrises I have seen. I think of all the wondrous formations of clouds with rainbow-hued colors I have seen. Yes, the glory of God appears in a cloud. The presence of God is all around us. Can we see, truly see, the presence of God? Or has man-made technology blinded us to His presence around us?

God used a cloud and a pillar of fire to lead the Children of Israel from Egypt. God used a cloud to cover His presence. He used a cloud to separate the army of Egypt and protect Israel. The cloud covered the tabernacle, and at night the cloud looked like fire. When the cloud lifted, the Israelites continued their journey. In I Kings 8, the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple. Deuteronomy 33:26 proclaim, “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty.”

When Dad died in 1979, Mother told me of Dad’s words before he died, “When Jesus comes again, look to the East as He takes me to heaven!” Then I read the words of return of Jesus to Heaven – “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” Acts 1:9. Verse 11 continues – “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Each time I walk, I search the sky first, looking for clouds. A clear sky just doesn’t have the same message as a cloud-filled sky. A cloud-filled sky can be the day Jesus returns. It was never as clear to me as the day I drove to my prayer-partner’s house for prayer. I sat in the car, facing east. Clouds covered the sun that early morning. Suddenly, the clouds parted, light poured through the windshield with an unusual intensity. I looked into the light, “Jesus, have you come? I have been waiting for You!”

Is it any wonder I call Him Lord?

Is it any wonder I love His Word?

By His grace and love, He has set me free–

Jesus, holy Lord, every praise to You!

By Your grace alone, I am born anew;

I will sing Your praise for eternity!

(Smith, Barreto, Holder –