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 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, this devotional reminds me of what C.S. Lewis wrote in The Problem of Pain “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” It is true, whenever we are up against it, and/or have nowhere else to turn, we turn to You Lord. When all our options are gone, we seek Your answers. And it seems as if You use these kinds of circumstances to show us your love, grace and mercy; AND to show us that even though the outcomes may not have changed, our fears are/were unfounded. Thank You God for using my circumstances to help me love You as a child.

And God says…”Like most humans, you first want to be right, appear to be right, seek pleasure and avoid pain. You want to choose the easy route and avoid pain, however, when you avoid pain and difficulties you are also avoiding the growth and opportunity that can come from your trials. Do not try to get out of your trials too early, let them have their perfect result. And part of that perfect result is allowing Me to demonstrate that your fears are not justified. Trust in Me with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight.”

“Over and over again you are learning the way to deal with life and the storms of life; surrender your worries, circumstances, trials, hopes and dreams to Me. Seek connection and allow the Holy Spirit to live through you as you remain curious about My response(s) to your trials. And when I do provide answers and opportunities, allow the Holy Spirit inside of you guide you to and through obedience. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you need, including the understanding, strength, power and humility to be obedient inside your trials and the outcomes.”