We are living in the most prophetic and the most powerful time in human history where God is still directing His people to follow the cloud and not the crowd. Imagine standing at a crossroad, one direction leads to comfort and popularity, the other to purpose and promise.
We are living in the most prophetic and the most powerful time in human history where God is still directing His people to follow the cloud and not the crowd. Imagine standing at a crossroad, one direction leads to comfort and popularity, the other to purpose and promise. One way is filled with people, the other way is filled with God’s presence. When Israel left Egypt, they had to make that decision daily to follow the cloud of God’s guidance or listen to the crowd of human opinion.
Too often,we get caught up following the crowd, popular opinions, peer pressure or majority voices, but we miss the path God is trying to lead us to. Israel had to choose, follow the cloud by day and the fire by night or follow the voices of fear and familiarity.
Let's look at 4 things
Point 1: The CLOUD LEADS TO PURPOSE
- The Cloud leads to Purpose – The Crowd leads to Panic
Purpose: Exodus 13:21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way….”
Panic: Numbers 14:1-4 “Whys is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword….” Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
The Cloud was God’s GPS, divinely programmed to lead Israel to their promise.
The crowd did not operate from purpose, but panic. They saw opposition and wanted to retreat. Fear caused them to forget what God had already done, the ten plagues, the Red Sea experience, manna fell from heaven, their enemy drowned and the miracles God had performed.
Remember Jesus, the crowd that shouted “Hail Jesus, King of the Jews,”was the same crowd at Calvary’s Hill that shouted Crucify Him. The same group of people that wanted you blessed in church, is the same group of people that will bring you down in the street.
Watch the crowd, they bring panic, fear rumour, opposition and defeat.
Purpose isn’t found in popularity, its found in obedience.
Panic says, ‘Go back”, but purpose says ‘Go forward.”
Man are nervous because persuing God’s presence will cause youtoloose some eople thatdont mean youwell.
Stop listening to the crowd and follow the Cloud.
Point 2: The CLOUD REQUIRES FAITH
Numbers 13:3-0-33 Joshua and Caleb said: “We are well able”,
The crowd said: “We are like grasshoppers.”
Hebrews 11: 8 “By faith Abraham obeyed…not knowing where he was going. The cloud doesn’t show you the full journey, only the next step.
The cloud say, “we walk by faith and not sight.”
The cloud said trust God, everything will be alright, the promises are real, God is with you.
In Matthew 27: 20-23, we encounter a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative of Jesus Christ. This passage reveals a dramatic scene where the crowd, swayed by the chief priests and elders, demands the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus. This historical episode offers profound lessons of faith, loyalty, and the courage to stand firm in our convictions, even amidst overwhelming opposition
Imagine being in Jerusalem during the chaotic period. The Passover feast Is underway, and the city is abuzz with activity. Amidst this, you encounter a harsh crowd, including familiar faces, neighbors, friends and leaders The chant of “Crucify Him!” grows louder, creating a tumultuous atmosphere.
In such a situation, ehat would you do? Would you be tempeted to blnd in with the crod or, seekingthepath of at least resistance, ow would you stand up for what you belive is right?
This scenario mirrors the challenge Christians face today: the choice between standing firm in one’s faith or yielding to societal pressures.
On the other hand, the crowd focuses on giants, obstacles, problems and what could go wrong. Faith focuses on what God said, not what people see.
Faith believes that when God is leading, He will always provide.
Fear multiplies when your surround yourself with the wrong voices.
You must learn to silence the crowd and amplify the vice of God in your life.
Point 3: The CLOUD MOVES WITH GOD, THE CROWD STEPS WITH EGYPT
Numbers 9:17-23 When the crowd moved the people moved.
Exdus 16: 3 ‘There we sat around pots of meat…but you have brought us out into this desert to starve….”
The crowd romanticized Egypt because it was familiar, even though it was oppressive. It has been said that familiarity is the thief of dreams. It keeps you from prospering and cause you to live in bondage.
God’s cloud never camped in Egypt, it always led away from bondage towards breakthrough. Many miss their miracles because they refuse to leave what’s comfortable.
Growth happens when you follow God out of whats easy into whats eternal.
Many are more committed to their comfort zone than their calling.
You cannot plan when you follow the cloud, nothing is predictable. The Lord can move anytime toady, tomorrow, next month, so get ready.
Don’t set up permanenmt camp.
Point 4: The CLOUD BRINGS GLORY, THE CROWD BRINGS GRUMBLING
Exodus 40: 34-38 “The cloud filled the Tabernacle and God’s glory appeared.
Numbers 14:2 “ And all the children of Israel murmured….”
Where the cloud went, the presence of God manifested.
When the crowd gathered, complaining spread like a virus.
The coud produces worship, the crowd produces whining.
Always surround yourself with people who follow the cloud, people of faith, vision and purpose.
Check your walk, challenge those you walk with, see who are the cloud chasers or whether they are the crowd complainers.
Its time to follow the Cloud and not the crowd. When the cloud move, you move. Many have been left glaring at the dust of the past, complaining about what we used to do and why do we have to do that. But today its time to part ways with the crowd and refocus on the cloud.
The cloud will bring you protection while the crowd brings destruction.
Following God will often set you apart, but it will never set you back. Israel had a choice to be popular in the crowd and stay stuck in the wilderness or stand with God and step into the promise.
The cloud might not always make the sense, but it will always take you to your destiny. God doesn’t guide you based on consensus, He guides based on covenant.
The next move of God in your life is connected to your willingness to move with the cloud not the crowd.
Don’t follow whats easy, follow whats eternal.
Don’t let your life be shaped by the crowd pressure but by the cloud presence.
The crowd cannot carry the cloud.
Today make a decision to break agreement with the crowd and fully align yourself with the cloud.
You can’t follow the crowd and the cloud at the same time, one leads to Canaan and the other back to chains.
When you follow the cloud, you may not always be popular but you will always be in purpose. The crowd will try to pull you back to Egypt, but the cloud is calling you forward to destiny.
Like Joshua and Caleb, stand strong even if you have to stand alone. The cloud is moving, don’t miss it trying to fit in with people who are stuck.
May you never settle for less when God has called you to more.
May you have courage to walk by faith and not by sight.
May you listen to God’s voice above the crowds voices.
God’s purpose is far more important than popular opinion.
Follow the cloud and not the crowd.
You have one job, follow the cloud!!
Point 5: The Emptiness of Achievement without Intimacy
Scripture: Revelation 2:2-4 – “I know your deeds… Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”
You can be active in ministry, business, or family and still be spiritually dry if you’ve drifted from intimacy with God. The Ephesian church had great works but lost their first love. Success that costs you your connection with God is never worth it. It will leave you spiritually sorrowful, regardless of your outward achievements. Remember: Intimacy with God must be the wellspring of every success we pursue.
Sign up for free class
It’s easy and free!
