CLOUDS OF GLORY
January 29, 2026
By Marvin Chisholm

After leaving the church one Sunday, I was driving east on route 404 when I noticed a
perfectly formed cloud in my rearview mirror. I could see it centered between the trees on
each side of the road just above the horizon. It took me back to when I was a boy. For
entertainment in those days, we would lie on the grass under a nice shade tree looking up at
the clouds. We would see what kind of things or people the clouds would form shapes of. As I
see them today, they remind me of the presence of God.
In Genesis 9:15 & 16 ( I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and
every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
The Rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant
between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.) God has made a
covenant with Noah and all his descendants (that would be you and me) that He would not
destroy mankind and all the creatures by flood. He would set this Rainbow in the clouds
between us and Him. The Rainbow is more than just a beautiful sight. It is a symbol of God’s
eternal love for us displayed in the clouds.
God uses clouds to represent His presence in many other sections of scripture. Exodus
13:21 ( 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.) God’s presence was in the
form of a cloud to lead them and shield them from the sun in the wilderness. God does lead us
in the way we should go and protects us along the way.
Exodus 33:9 &10 ( And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle door, that
the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with
Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people
rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door.) The presence of God descended in the form of
a cloud and stood at the door of the tabernacle. God’s presence has been felt many times in
our own church during a service. We need to prepare ourselves before we enter our service at
church. We need to come expecting God to manifest Himself in whatever form He chooses.
We need to enter His presence with clean hearts and clean hands. We need to come to church
prayed up.
Acts 1:9 & 11 ( Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was
taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward

heaven as He went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, who said, “Men of
Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you
into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven”.)
Jesus had just given His Apostles instructions as to what their mission was. He was
returning to the Father to take His rightful place at the right hand of God. They were standing
in awe as they watched Jesus ascend into the clouds and the presence of God. I can’t imagine
being witness to such an amazing sight. I too would have just stood there motionless watching.
The angles had to get their attention by calling to them. This same Jesus (thank God that Jesus
is the same today and forever) will come again just like He left. Jesus will return in the clouds of
Glory.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 &17 (For the LORD Himself shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will
rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.) We can know that
though we live in a time of perplexity, peril, and trouble that our redemption is drawing nigh.
One day we will be caught up into the clouds to be with Jesus for all eternity.
I love to watch a beautiful sun set and have photographed many of them. When I see
these sun sets, I see the reflection of the sun on the clouds and their many beautiful colors,
they remind me of the Son’s glory being reflected on the presence of God in the clouds. Let us
keep our eyes focused on the heavens anticipating His glorious return. For Jesus has said
“Surely I am coming soon!