Following the Cloud

For forty years in desert land

God led His people there,

His presence in a cloud by day

To guide them everywhere.

When the cloud settled, they unpacked

And made home for a while,

But when the cloud moved on ahead

They walked mile after mile.

Waiting was never easy then

In the dry, barren land;

And though they learned to trust the Lord

They could not understand.

No sooner would they settle in,

Put up their feet to rest,

The cloud again would move ahead

In spite of their protests.

At other times they waited long

In desert sand so hot,

And said, “No milk and honey here—

The Promised Land it’s not!”

We, too, may find we’re settled in

Enjoying a sweet rest

When our cloud moves and God says, too,

“Trust Me—I know what’s best!”

Or we think God may have left us

Too long in trial’s heat,

And we long for lush green pastures

Where we can rest our feet.

We, too, must learn to trust in God,

The Faithful One who’s true;

When following the cloud God sends,

He’ll lead us safely through.

He’s never late—He’s right on time!

In faith we, too, can say

That through the parched, dry desert land

God led us all the way.

©2005 Linda J. Stevenson