PROPHETIC WORD: The Clouds Are Breaking—God’s Glory is About to Shine!
"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth."
Genesis 9:13
THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD
One of the most amazing things about God’s Word is that it’s alive and active! We can read the same verse over and over, and then one day, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to something completely new. I just love how Jesus is always teaching us. He’s always ready to reveal deeper truths when we sit at His feet and open our hearts to learn.
This week, I was diving into the story of God’s covenant with Noah. I paid attention to the timeline of how the rain came down and then Noah and his family floated in uncertainty for a long period of time. Then, God caused a wind to blow, and the waters began to recede (Genesis 8:1). Eventually they walked on dry land.
God promises never to flood the earth again and He places a rainbow in the sky as a symbol of His promise. It’s such a beautiful image of God’s faithfulness. But this time, as I read Genesis 9, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before. It wasn’t just the rainbow that stood out — it was the clouds. God speaks of the clouds three times.
LET’S LOOK AT THE SCRIPTURE
Genesis 9:13 – "I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth."
Genesis 9:14 – "Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds….”
Genesis 9:16 – "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
THE CLOUDS HAVE PURPOSE
We Are Never Alone
In the Old Testament, clouds weren’t just part of the scenery; they represented the presence of God. When the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, God led them by a pillar of cloud (Exodus 13:21). That cloud wasn’t merely a visual phenomenon—it was His divine presence made visible. It was a constant reminder that He was with them, guiding them even when they couldn’t see the way forward.
So, what does this tell us about the rainbow in Genesis 9? God didn’t just place the rainbow in a clear, empty sky—He placed it in the clouds. The very thing that feels heavy, uncertain, and at times overwhelming is the very place where God chose to display His covenant. This isn’t an accident. It’s a revelation.
Even in the midst of uncertainty, Jesus doesn’t shy away from the storm—He shows up in it. His promises aren’t tied to clear skies; they shine through the clouds.
The cloud is our covering.
The cloud is our direction.
The cloud is our assurance that we are never alone.
Our Heavenly Father places His promises right where the storms gather. He doesn’t wait for the skies to clear before proving His faithfulness—He meets us in the middle of uncertainty. The very places we fear the most become the backdrop for His greatest works. His covenant isn’t something we see after the storm; it’s formed within it. His promises don’t just break through the clouds—they shine because of them.
But this revelation of the clouds doesn’t stop in the Old Testament.
It points directly to Jesus, our King.
JESUS AND THE CLOUDS
Jesus ascended into the clouds after His resurrection (Acts 1:9). As the disciples watched Him rise, angels told them He would return the same way.
Jesus will return on the clouds. Revelation 1:7 declares: "Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him."
Jesus is enthroned above the clouds. In Daniel’s prophetic vision, He saw “one like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven” (Daniel 7:13), a direct foreshadowing of Christ’s dominion and eternal kingdom.
The same God who set His promise in the clouds after the flood is the same God who will split the sky one day in victory.
WHEN LIFE FEELS UNCERTAIN
When we are weak, God is strong!
Lately, I’ve been sensing the Holy Spirit highlighting one particular word: uncertain. I know many of you are feeling uncertain right now—whether it’s about God’s plans, your life’s direction, relationships, health, or the future. It’s easy to let that uncertainty cloud your vision and make you feel stuck.
But God is reminding us to be strong and courageous in this season. The storms will come, and the clouds may gather, but His presence is always near. In Joshua 1:9, God says: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
He didn’t tell Joshua to “feel” strong because we rarely feel that way in hardship. He said to “be” strong – in other words, stand firm even when it’s hard. The Lord is fighting for you. Just like the Israelites had to trust God at the Red Sea and in the wilderness, we are called to trust Him through the clouds of life. The Holy Spirit is urging us: Don’t shrink back. Stand firm and move forward with faith.
There’s a truth that we must hold onto in every season: God is a miracle worker. No matter how dark the clouds, no matter how relentless the storm, He is still moving. Even when the clouds block your view, the sun is still shining behind them. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s gone. The same is true with Jesus. Even when you can’t feel Him, He’s there. Even when your prayers seem unanswered, He’s working. Even when your circumstances feel overwhelming, He’s making a way.
God loves to send reminders of His presence in the most unexpected ways. When I first came to know the Holy Spirit, He would place heart-shaped clouds in the sky above me. Every time I looked up and saw one, I knew He was speaking. It was God’s way of showing me His love in a tangible way. Even after all these years, I still come across heart-shaped rocks and other little reminders of His love along my path.
I believe God is speaking to you in the same way this season. Our Creator is not limited to a box; He can reveal His glory in all sorts of ways!
So be on the lookout for His signs—a unique cloud, a rainbow appearing in an unexpected place, a brilliant white butterfly, a rainbow that makes you gasp, or even a moment where God’s presence feels near. These are not coincidences. They are glimpses of His faithfulness. 🌈☁️✨
