Behold, He is coming with clouds . . . —Revelation 1:7
In the Bible clouds are always associated with God. Clouds are the sorrows, sufferings, or providential circumstances, within or without our personal lives, which actually seem to contradict the sovereignty of God. Yet it is through these very clouds that the Spirit of God is teaching us how to walk by faith. If there were never any clouds in our lives, we would have no faith. “The clouds are the dust of His feet” (Nahum 1:3). They are a sign that God is there. What a revelation it is to know that sorrow, bereavement, and suffering are actually the clouds that come along with God! God cannot come near us without clouds— He does not come in clear-shining brightness.
It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials. Through every cloud He brings our way, He wants us to unlearn something. His purpose in using the cloud is to simplify our beliefs until our relationship with Him is exactly like that of a child— a relationship simply between God and our own souls, and where other people are but shadows. Until other people become shadows to us, clouds and darkness will be ours every once in a while. Is our relationship with God becoming more simple than it has ever been?
There is a connection between the strange providential circumstances allowed by God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of life in the light of our knowledge of God. Until we can come face to face with the deepest, darkest fact of life without damaging our view of God’s character, we do not yet know Him.
“. . . they were fearful as they entered the cloud” (Luke 9:34). Is there anyone except Jesus in your cloud? If so, it will only get darker until you get to the place where there is “no one anymore, but only Jesus . . .” (Mark 9:8 ; also see Mark 2-7).
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July 29, 2013
Lord, why is it that I see the difficulties of this life…”as my cross” to bear, instead of seeing difficult circumstances as an opportunity to trust You again, and again and again? I would love for curiosity to be my first reaction to difficult and trying circumstances of this life, and the second reaction to be the knowledge that You are in control. And help me to find the confidence knowing and trusting that you have plans for good for me.
And God says…”The clouds of life are where you are challenged to trust Me. When things are going very well, you have no need to trust with Me with everything. But when you have uncertainty, pain and heartache, you listen for me very closely. I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Trust in Me with all your heart, do not rely on your devices and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. Trust in Me, surrender your own ideas of what you think are your right and proper plans for your life, and be confident that I will meet all your needs and provide for your very good future.”
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