I grew up on a ranch in Northern Wisconsin. With the shorter northern summers, 
raising enough crops to sustain the large cattle herd was a tricky business. Rain and sunshine was a crucial balance that all ranchers prayed for, and because of this, my dad kept a close eye on the clouds. If he saw quickly moving low clouds in the evening, he knew the chances were high for poor weather in the morning. Billowing, white clouds in summer, was an indication of a likely shower. He was pretty good at reading the “face of the sky”, and took his lead from the clouds as he planted and harvested.
The Israelites also watched the sky, particularly the cloud that led them through the wilderness (Numbers 9:15-16). God promised them he would lead them by a cloud during the day, and a pillar of fire at night. When the cloud moved on, it represented the movement and leading of God. When the cloud settled over the tabernacle it represented His stopping and settling. Whatever the situation, the nation of Israel moved in response to the divine direction. God was their guide in all circumstances.
If I were one of the Israelites, I imagine it would be exciting to wake up each morning, wondering, “Where is God going to take me today?” That’s what life was like for Israel as God lead them through the wilderness to the Promised Land. But, this is also a picture of what God wants life to be like for us today! Are you waking up each morning with your eyes fixed firmly on God? Do you follow Him throughout your day?
God made His presence known to the Israelites and the temple was “filled with the cloud of God’s glory.” This thought led me to another: Paul tells the New Testament believers “that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Could it possibly be that the Holy Spirit is our “cloud of God’s glory”, waiting to lead us in His divine direction, guiding us through all circumstances?
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14