Numbers 9:17
"And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents."
We hear much about everything being in the cloud. Technology is now storing data in the cloud. Whenever you turn your phone on and update something, it is updated on your computer through the cloud. Cloud computing is certainly the technology of the day.
It is amazing that this is not the first time that people depended upon the cloud. Though the cloud I am talking about is much different than computing. It says in the verse above that Israel was to move whenever the cloud moved. God used a cloud to guide the children of Israel through the wilderness. Whenever the cloud stopped, they were to halt their movement, but whenever the cloud lifted they knew that God was moving them. They literally followed the cloud.
It would be good if Christians developed a cloud Christianity. The verse above shows several things that would help Christians to have a cloud Christianity. Let me show you the things God wants us to do to develop a cloud Christianity.
First, God wants us to keep our eyes on the cloud, which is God. God didn't want Israel to follow Moses, but He wanted them to follow Him. He didn't want them to follow their own feeling, but He wanted them to follow Him. He didn't want them to follow an institution, but He wanted them to follow Him. He didn't want them to follow a great personality from the past, but He wanted them to keep their eyes on Him.
You will never develop a cloud Christianity by following anyone or anything else other than God. Your belief system needs to come from God. Your standards by which you live need to come from God. Your loyalties need to be to God. Keeping your eyes on God will help you in determining God's will for your life and will keep you from becoming disenchanted with the Christian life.
Second, there were times when they needed to wait on God. There were many days the cloud did not move, and at those times they were to stay. There are times in your life when you need to wait on the LORD. Stop running ahead of God and be patient with Him. Don't expect God to move at your timing, but understand that He works on His time schedule. Waiting on God certainly tries your patience, but running ahead of God will always bring regrets. Be patient when God is telling you to wait.
Third, you must move when God wants you to move. It is interesting that there was a time when men moved Israel to follow them without God's guidance and that led to their death. You must realize that you are to follow God's will for your life and not man's. Only two people know God's personal will for your life; that is God and you. Yes, everyone knows God's revealed will which is found in the Word of God, but knowing God's personal will is only found by following God. If God wants you to move, then you had better listen to God. Don't follow man's guiding in your life, but follow the revealed will of God, the Scriptures, and His personal will when He personally tells you to do something for Him.
Cloud Christianity always lead you to the Promised Land of your life. Cloud Christianity gives you the greatest joy and peace in life because you are following the One Who controls the cloud. Decide today to be a Cloud Christian.