July 19, 2005

The Pillar of Cloud

The Pillar of Cloud, near Bella Vista Ar

.
.

With a column of cloud
you led Your people by day,
and by night
with a column of fire,
to light
the way of their journey,
the way
that they must travel

On Mt. Sinai
You came down,
You spoke with them
from heaven.
You gave them ordinances,
firm laws,
good statutes
and commandments.

Nehemiah 9:12-13

We have been surrounded with magnificent cloudscapes these past few days. The weather systems that linger to the south have been pushed up by the hurricane pressures. As hot as its been, the humidity breeds up manificent thunderheads, masses and masses of cumulus nimbus, creating a brilliant, bright white lit landscape....







The people around me as I travel about town, shop, ect, is "please God, let it rain.." But the clouds as full and beautiful as they are have so far played us false
and no moisture falling at all. In what is fast becomming a full blown drought, this long time between rains is hurting farmer, and rancher alike. Grass is turning brown on pasture and golf course, and we are on voluntary rationing of water

I was reminded of the clouds this morning in my reading. God used clouds to lead His people to places of safety, and protected them both by day and by night... I see over and over like the Travelers of the Sinai, that God has provided and protected us every step of the way. The clouds also provided direction. Somehow, the Children of Israel knew when the cloud was going to move, and prepared for it. I want to be that aware of what God's doing.