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  ).

____________________________________________________________________

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

July 29, 2010

I woke up this morning counting my blessings in an effort to fortify my faith. I was remembering all the times in my life that God showed up right when I needed Him. I recalled time after time when He met me right at the point and time of my need. I was worrying and concerned about the timing of promises when I recalled that the children of Israel were too concerned as they wandered in the desert. God had blessed them with the miracles of the plagues, He had parted the Red Sea and destroyed the Egyptian Army in pursuit, and He had provided daily manna, and water as well as a guiding light. God protected, provided and directed them and still they worried one day to the next.

I felt a little bit like one of those desert wanderers this morning as I recalled all that God has provided me. I asked God to help and forgive my unbelief. Like the father that responded to Jesus I said “I believe, help me in my unbelief.” Let Me see you in my clouds.

And God says…..”You will be plagued with clouds, doubts and unbelief; that is what a normal natural human will do. You can replace the doubt and worry when you let go of the responsibility and allow Jesus to live through you. Do not try to give Him the worry or anxiety, simply give up yourself. Give up your rights and expectations and trust Me. Once you take Jesus into your life, you have Jesus in all things. He came to give you life and life more abundantly and He accomplishes this by living through you. Your circumstances may change, they may not, but when you give up yourself, you are profoundly changed. You then view your cloudy circumstances as simply one more set of blessings from which to see Jesus  work in your life.

Seek first My kingdom, acknowledge Me in all your ways and lean not on your own ways of worry and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart.

Wait on Me, trust Jesus, and you will rise up with the wings of eagles. I am your God; I cannot abandon or forsake you. I will hold you up in my strong right hand. You are My child.