– Secret Place Insights –
Dear One, if you are familiar with the Old Testament you are aware that after the Israelites fled Egypt, God led them by way of a cloud by day, and fire by night. Exodus 13:21-22, NIV. Well, just recently, after all these years, I realized that I have, for no explainable reason, envisioned that cloud as dark, and almost ominous.
Once the Israelites constructed the Tabernacle according to the instructions given to Moses by God, the same cloud by day or fire by night hung over the structure. Well, in my mind, the cloud that stood over the Tabernacle was ominous as well.
I have no explanation for this. It makes no sense to me. For I have, for as long as I can remember, held God in mind and heart with reverence, and have put my trust in Him. So what’s with the dark and gloomy image? I do not know, but I am happy to report that I have replaced dark and gloomy with white and extraordinary. I am grateful that my impression of God has never, to my knowledge, been influenced by my mental picture of God’s cloud by day.
While thinking of the oddity of God being represented as a dark, ominous cloud, I do realize that there are people who think of God in that way. The number of mistaken reasons for doing so are impossible to count, nonetheless, He is loving.
Yet, there are those times, when we, God’s children, do think of Him as dark and ominous – uncaring, but when we do, we are wrong. Usually, at such times, we are trying to lead, while doing our best to goad Him into following our plans or path. Silly us. How foolish it is to think that Man could, or should, lead the God of all Wisdom and Truth down the path of sinful Man.
At such times, it is wise for us to resubmit and draw nearer to Wisdom, to Truth, to God, and see life for what it truly is, a battle between Light and Darkness, between good and evil. Thankfully, we can know who wins. It is recorded in the Book of Truth, the Bible, the most authenticated writing in all of antiquity.*
“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise,
Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are
evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand
what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17
Blessings for another week,
Susanne
* The Reliability of the Biblical Documents is the last entry in Going Deeper found on the right-hand side of the Home page.
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