The Glory Cloud

Then a cloud covered the tent of
the congregation, and the glory of
the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:34

We who belong to Christ have been given the Holy Spirit to indwell us... 

He is our Teacher, and our Comforter. However, in the Old Testament period, God's Spirit would sometimes make His presence known by manifesting Himself in the form of a cloud. It must have been an awesome sight to behold. The Israelites experienced the actual presence of God, and the tabernacle was the place where the Lord would meet with His people.

Yet now, in this present period of the Church age, God's tabernacle is within the individual bodies of "born again" Christians. Furthermore, while an actual cloud no longer forms when God's children gather to praise and worship Him, I do believe that He has ways to make His presence known. Like this morning, for example. As the choir was leading the congregation in songs of thanksgiving, the presence of the Almighty came upon us. Jesus was in the building!

I'm not a mystical person by any means. And this had nothing to do with bizarre manifestations. But something changed when the songs were being sung. I've no doubt about it. The glory was here. The Lord arrived with spiritual refreshment in His wings. The worship and praise rejuvenated me, and before I left the chapel, I made a renewed commitment to serve the Savior.

D.B.