Dark Clouds – Part eight

Gradually the clouds move in. The sky becomes completely covered with ominous storm clouds, heavy and threatening. It gets darker. Our vision is diminished. The sun is obscured. Passengers in a plane, flying above the clouds, testify that the sun is still there, shining as brightly as ever. But that is no help to us. We cannot see it.

At times, life is like that. Our personal circumstances unfold in distressing fashion. Burdens press upon us with increasing weight. Our spiritual vision becomes blurred through pain. We become depressed. The clouds get darker. We can no longer see the Sun of righteousness. Others, in happier situations, assure us of our Lord’s continuing presence. But we can’t see Him. Our path has become darkened.

We are not alone

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax, it is melted within my breast; and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; thou dost lay me in the dust of death” (Psa. 22:14,15 RSV, as all quotes). Both David and our Lord Jesus walked through the valley of deep, dark, deathly shadows (Psa. 23:4). “0 God. ..my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is” (Psa. 63:1).

We, too, can turn — indeed must turn — to “the eternal God” who is our “dwelling place,” who assures us that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27).

We must lift our eyes, with such faith as we can muster, to look beyond the clouds, pleading for that day when our faith will soar on eagles’ wings, restoring our confidence that we have been exalted to sit with God, “in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6).

“Turn thou tome,” we plead, “and be gracious to me; for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the trouble of my heart, and bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins” (Psa. 25:16­-18). And God hears, and He responds. His response may not be immediately apparent. In time, we will come to see and understand.

Clouds come from God

Clouds have a purpose: “He covers the heavens with clouds, he prepares rain for the earth, he makes grass grow upon the hills” (Psa. 147:8). Clouds are the bearers of life-sustaining rain. The clouds in our life bring life-sustaining lessons. They impress on us our own inadequacy and our utter dependence upon God. Without dark clouds, we would know no doubt, from which emerges trust; no despair, out of which grows hope; no awareness of death, which generates a love of life. It is the burden of mortality that prepares us for eternity.

In fact, God speaks to us, as to Israel, “out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness…” (Deut. 5:22).

We struggle to understand and hopefully develop through our trials. What we do not understand, we try to accept. This is the essence of true faith: “Speak, LORD, for thy servant hears” (1 Sam. 3:9).