"Signs In The Clouds"

“Signs In The Clouds”

INTRODUCTION: “Clouds” are mentioned several times in the Scripture. They are closely identified with God.

Isaiah 19:1 – “Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt:”

Rev. 14:14 - “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.”

Can you name some instances where God uses a “cloud” in Scripture?

• To guide the Children of Israel through the wilderness.

• God spoke to Moses in a cloud on Mt Sinai.

• God appeared to Aaron on the Day of Atonement, at the Mercy Seat, in a cloud.

• The glory of the Lord left the Temple in Jerusalem, in a cloud.

• When Elijah predicted rain, his servant saw a cloud the size of a man’s hand.

• God spoke in a cloud at the transfiguration of Jesus.

• Jesus ascended in a cloud.

• We will be caught up in the clouds at the Rapture.

TONIGHT, I want us to take a look at several instances where God used a “cloud”.

1. - Genesis 9:13-14 – God teaches us about His PROMISES.

The RAINBOW is one of God’s covenant signs to the world … THAT … there will never be another flood like that one. It’s a PROMISE from God. It had never rained before the flood (Genesis 2:5-6). When God caused the great flood, He caused it to rain for 40 days & 40 nights. Can you imagine what Noah must have done, when he finally got off the ark, and saw a dark cloud in the sky? He might have run back to the ark … UNTIL … he remembered God’s promise … the RAINBOW.

MAYBE … there are some dark clouds in your life. Remember the cartoon character who always had a black cloud following him everywhere?

We often sing the song:

“Tho clouds may gather in the sky, and billows round me roll;

However dark the world may be, I’ve sunlight in my soul.”

We need to look BEYOND the dark clouds to the RAINBOW that God always has for us. There can’t be a rainbow, without clouds! You’ve heard the old saying, “Beyond every cloud there’s a silver lining.” While that may not be true, there’s always a RAINBOW of God’s presence beyond every dark cloud.

Dark clouds may be brought over our life by God – 9:14. When they come, they are there so we can see the RAINBOW of His grace and glory. There is no dark cloud without a RAINBOW of promise. Dark clouds always mean showers of blessing. Romans 4:21 – “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

2.- Exodus 13:21-22 – God teaches us about His GUIDANCE.

Where the cloud went, Israel went. When it moved, they moved … when it stopped, they stopped. God used the CLOUD to guide them through the wilderness. They didn’t have a road map, roads or a guide … they had a CLOUD. They didn’t need to stop and ask for directions (Moses was a man … he wouldn’t have anyhow!).

The cloud didn’t go faster than they could follow … BUT … they had to keep up with the cloud. They could see it … it didn’t go away … it was always there.

IN LIKE MANNER … we walk by FAITH, not by SIGHT. We can’t SEE the cloud … BUT … we still have a Guide thorough the wilderness of our life. We need to keep our eyes on Him. He will never lead you astray.

3.- Exodus 14:19-20 – God teaches us about His PROTECTION.

NOW … the cloud goes behind the children of Israel. They didn’t need to be guided across the Red Sea … it has opened up for them. What they needed was a GUARD at their rear … BECAUSE … the Egyptian army was closing in on them. The cloud became a partition between them and their enemy.

God stands in the clouds, as a partition between you and your enemy, the Devil. Psalm 34:7 – “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

4.- Exodus 16:10-12 – God teaches us His PROVISION.

God had guided them, and protected them thus far … Would He NOW, not PROVIDE for them?

God continues to provide for us, His children. He provides for us ABUNDANTLY:

• Abundant Life - John 10:10 – “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

• Abundant Power - Ephes. 3:20 – “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”