In The Cloud
6 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the most holy place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. 10 And when the priests came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. (1 Kings 8:6,10-11)
Clouds get a bad rap. We tend to use clouds to denote sadness, shame, deviance, and negativity in general. Since clouds are the harbingers of rain, and rain can cramp our style, we shoot the messenger. Even though too much rain can be devastatingly disastrous, rain is a sign of life, growth, and abundance.
When Solomon fulfilled God's promise to David, as the descendant to build God's temple, the presence of God filled that temple. God's presence appeared as a cloud - one so engulfing that the priests couldn't minister in the midst of it. The people of Israel had come to welcome the cloud of presence which had led them out of Egypt, for forty years in the wilderness, and into the land God had promised them. The journey with God had rarely been easy or peaceful, but this visible symbol reminded them that they were not forsaken - even when they failed to do what God had called them to do.
We don't look forward to hardship but, when we find ourselves in times of difficulty, we can count on God's never-failing presence. When clouds blanket the sky, we can choose to see them as both an indication of an impending storm and assurance that we will not be left alone. The clouds that seem to block the Light are there to release nourishment into the parched places within us - liquid sunshine, indeed. May we open ourselves to the overwhelming, reassuring presence of God.
4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah 5 Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion. 8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
(Psalm 84:4-8)
