In the Cloud - The Overwhelming Presence of God!!!
The Bible is very clear about believers of Jesus Christ having his spirit indwelling in them – it is an indisputable fact. We can feel the presence of God within us – especially when we are posturing ourselves correctly and seeking the Lord. However, there are times when the true presence of God, the overwhelming, all-encompassing presence of God falls on His people. So, today we are going to have a look at some instances, from both biblical testaments, where the presence and spirit of God manifested itself in our physical realm in a mighty way. We also examine the events that lead into the presence of God manifesting itself in our world and in our lives.
Exodus 13:21-22
"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."
The presence of God, expressed in a supernatural way acts as a guide.
During the wilderness wandering of the Hebrews, it guided them to places of encampment, to places of water and nourishment, and through areas of barrenness.
While we may not see a pillar of fire or of cloud in our current times – God can non-the-less show us in supernatural ways a way through our wilderness experiences.
Perhaps we should be praying for our eyes to be opened to the supernatural signposts and pathways God has prepared for us.
2 Chronicles 5:11-14
"Then the priests left the Holy Place. All the priests who were present had purified themselves, whether or not they were on duty that day. And the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers—were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets. The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.”
The Ark of the Covenant had just been placed in the Holy of Holies. The Ark of the Covenant was both a reminder of god’s past deeds, but also the provision of his word and commandments.
It also served as the ‘Mercy Seat’ – the place where the ‘Shekinah’ glory resided.
Then the priests engaged in unified worship. They lifted up the name of God, they sang of his character and glory - “He is good!His faithful love endures forever!”
In that moment, the presence of God literally fell upon them in a thick cloud.
It was so powerful that the priests had to stop their ‘ceremony’ and just be in the presence of God. They had to stop what had been organised and arranged, just so be present in the moment with God's presence.
Can you imagine the overwhelming sense of love, mercy and power that would have been in that instance.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to feel that sort of presence on a regular basis?
Daniel 7:13
“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.”
Daniel’s vision of Jesus in his glorified, heavenly state, was accompanied by the physical manifestation of God’s presence in the form of a cloud.
We have seen that this not only links the cloud of God guiding the Hebrew nation through the desert, but it harkens to a future times when Jesus is lifted up into heaven, and when Jesus returns on the clouds.
Jesus, in his glorified, heavenly state is always surrounded by the presence of Almighty God.
Acts 1:9
"Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight."
Mark 13:26
"Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory."
Revelation 1:7
"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen."
When Jesus returned to heaven, where he belongs, the presence of God is there to welcome Him.
When he returns to rule on Earth, the presence of God is there with him.
These clouds are not the clouds of our atmosphere. They are divine clouds, clouds of the physical presence of God manifesting itself in our reality.
These scriptures speak of the fullness of God's heavenly kingdom, where his presence dwells forever, and its eventual arrival on Earth, when Jesus comes to rule.
They speak of the authority, glory and power of God over all the Earth.
Act 4:23-31
"And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
Several of the church leaders including some disciples had been imprisoned and had been released, charged with preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Again, a group of believers was gathering together – united in purpose – worshiping God, lifting up prayer and praising God for what had happened.
Firstly, they honoured God, and his authority.
Then they lifted up their petition to God – the issues they were facing in that moment – and included in that petition was a statement asking for God to be so active in their lives that they perform miracles.
Finally, the concluded this in the name of Jesus Christ.
It was only after all that, that the Holy Spirit came and filled them and literally shook the place where they were meeting.
I am sure those around them felt it too – and understood that it was a supernatural event.
When the Holy Spirit shows up and is active in our lives - it is transformational. It emboldens us to speak the gospel, to seek to pray healing over others, and to do supernatural miracles for the glory of God.
Acts 2:1-4
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Celebrating and honouring God in a feast. It was an act of worship.
Again, we see believers united in purpose, gathering in one place.
And again, we see the presence of God show up in a mighty, supernatural way.
Here the spirit moves as a mighty rushing wind, and tongues of fire. An echo of what their forefathers had experienced in their wilderness journey.
When the Holy Spirit, really, truly shows up it is followed by boldness and the proclamation of the word of God as truth and as freedom.
Why is it that we never experience this in the western world?
Why is it that in all our spirit-filled events that the physical environments have not been so impacted by the spiritual that they have quaked at the impact?
If a person's life is not transformed by an apparent outpouring of the Holy Spirit - then it is either their own sin/pride that is blocking the work of the Holy Spirit - or it wasn't an actual event of the Holy Spirit but was purely human emotional hype.
If we are co-heirs with Christ, and we have the indwelling of his spirit within us – why aren’t we experiencing the presence of God like we should be?
I think there are several key points in all of these scriptures…
A) Worship: Worship is key to bringing the presence of God. Worship that is not ‘Us’ centred – but centred on the power, authority and character of God. If we are singing songs that are mere extensions of the ‘give me this or that thing God’ prayers, we pray – then it is not true worship and praise of our Heavenly Father. Our worship must point to God, and it must hold God higher than ourselves, our society, our position and even our circumstances.
B) Unity in Purpose: In many of the scriptures presented above, the believers/priests/chosen people were gathered with a unity of purpose – to worship God, to learn about God. Is the body of Christ unified? No…not even close. Our congregations have become sounding boards and expressions of the world, and of the social values of our day, rather than the declared word of God.
C) Arrival of the Presence: Only came after those two things happened, never before. God will only show up if we give him the respect and honour he is deserving, and he will only show up if we are united in purpose. Division, especially pride-filled, self-seeking division does not usher in the presence of God.
So where to from here?
All we can do is gather together with the expressed purpose of worshiping God, and in doing so the fullness and the overwhelming presence of God will manifest itself in our lives and the lives of the believers around us.
It is my earnest hope and prayer that...we the Church...can begin to usher in the presence of God that has never been experienced before, in a time when the world needs it more than ever.
It is my earnest hope and prayer that...we the Church...can position ourselves in a place where we can set aside our contrived Sunday ceremonies and truly worship the Lord - for His names sake - so that His presence will fall on us like a cloud.
I pray that you find a place of worship that brings others, like-minded believers who just want to seek the presence of God, may the presence of God fall upon you like a cloud. May it build in you a boldness to speak the word of God, and fill you with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit to do miraculous, supernatural works of heaven – wherever God places you. May the peace, mercy and grace of Yeshua be upon you…
Written March 6th 2022