When The Clouds Come In
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8
Years ago, my wife and I visited the base of the Matterhorn in Switzerland on a beautiful day. It has to be one of the most majestic sites on earth. When we woke up the next morning, I walked out of our room to view the Matterhorn once again and it was gone. Absolutely no evidence it was there. The clouds had rolled in. When the clouds lifted, it was obvious the mountain had not moved.
Sometimes it's like that with God. We come to experience Him in an awe-inspiring way. But later the clouds of life roll in: disappointment, rejection, suffering. It's like God is nowhere near.
But remember, He has not moved. He's as sure and as near as the Matterhorn was to us that day in Switzerland when we could not see it. So when the clouds move in, it's time to show God you really do have faith. For in time, the clouds of life will lift and you'll see that God has not moved--He was there all along.
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22 Comments
It's funny how silly it would be to think that the mountain is gone just because you can't see it. Yet God is even more dependable than that. Great devotion. - David
I believe that God does not disappear, but faith does not always work. I believed that God would cure my daughter of cancer(only 34), I believed He would not take her from her four young children. I had faith that God would handle this. He did handle it by taking our daughter and leaving grandparents to raise four children. He put a cloud over our lives that will NEVER lift. There are hurts that God cannot relieve, what possible good can come from this? I know that we don't have the big picture that God has, but that does not help our lives. I guess there are some hurts that God intends for us to carry until He calls us home. - hurting
I want to send my prayers to the comment from "hurting". I have not faced this , so I don't know how I would feel.All I know is that God is in control. For some reason it was GOd's plan for your daughter to leave this world at this time. Before we are conceived, GOd has everything planned. We might not ever know the why's, but trust in Him. Maybe He is testing your faith in Him, maybe this will bring someone to the Lord. Whatever the reason, love God, trust Him.Leave it with Him, pray with tears, pour your heart out."Casting all your care upon him;for He careth for you". - julie
Just what I needed to hear today. Great devotion. I"m reminded of the "footprints in the sand". When we can only see one set, perhaps it is because God is carrying us. Mighty hard to remember when we're hurting. As the Lord's prayer says "Thy will be done". Often there is a difference between God's will and our will. Lately I find myself praying for more faith and an understanding of God's will. Lord, help us to surrender to your will...with faith that will see us through. - JIm
Great devotion! Hurting...my heart goes out to you and your family. I know that God loves you and your family. He does not want you to hurt. He certainly is the Comforter, lean into Him so that you might find comfort. I do not have an answer for your questions of why, nor would I ever want to deny how painful your loss is. I do know that you are loved. God has a divine plan for you and your family! If you can muster nothing more each day, teach your grandchildren faith. Through faith, they will find hope and love. God Bless You! - Emily
Hurting, You have so well expressed your grief and please know that others are feeling sad to know of your circumstances although we certainly can not identify with the depth of your grief. I am especially sad that you have the feeling of having lost your faith. From my outsider viewpoint I can see from what you say that God has provided for the children a home with their grandparents. I pray God will make a way for you to somehow know that your daughter is with Him in heaven. By putting together the shattered pieces of your faith you can bless your daughter's children with an example of resilient faith. May you all be encouraged to know that one day you will have a glorious reunion in heaven. I do not know where you live but at one time I heard that Georgia State University had a support program for grandparents raising children. Perhaps it might help to be with others who are going through similar situations. - Janice
hurting- there is a radio show in Alabama called the Rick and Bubba show. I don't think it is a Christian radio program but they are Christians. Rick Burgess, one of the hosts, two year old son got out of the house and fell into the swimming pool and drowned a couple of weeks ago. If you go to youtube.com and search for Rick Burgess you can watch a video, in three parts, of his speech at his son's funeral. Maybe it will help. May God give you the peace that passes all understanding, in Jesus name. - Keith R.
well, I'll try to post this again:
Maybe God is not interested in human affairs.
- Erik
Maybe Erik is not interested in human affairs but only in his agenda. - Janice
To Erik, Hi! Do you read C.S. Lewis? - marti mastbrook
yes marti, I read him in the 9th grade. Why do ask? - erik
Thank you to all who responded to me. Your reminders of God's Word has helped. I know my daughter is in heaven, she was saved at a young age. I know I will see her again. I am going to have good days and difficult days. I do live in GA and will check out the grandparents raising grandkids. I felt your prayers for our family. Thanks for giving me a place to talk. - Hurting
Did you just read Screwtape Letters or the children's Narnia Chronicles, or have you read all of his work? How about Frances Schaeffer (sp?)? How about Corrie Ten Boom?
I am NOT an intellectual, but I have learned some things. Information is not knowledge.
Knowledge is not wisdom.
Philosophy is not just Socratic method of questioning. Philosophy is definitely NOT wisdom, at least not the kind that endures and endures. You sound like you're stuck in a self-imposed ivory tower that is blinding you from looking up and seeing the truth. Truth is so much bigger than you, and He's smiling at your attempts to outwit Him. And He loves you. You can probably outwit me (maybe not!), and your cynical jabs at us "poor dumb naive believers" must inflate your ego, because you do it so often and so well. What do you really want?
- marti mastbrook
Good morning, thanks for the reminder that even when I don't see, or feel the awesome presence of God, He is yet there. What an assurrance. Have a victorious day!!
- Brother Carlito
Marti- I read Mere Christianity and Screwtape. Familiar with Narnia. Read Schaeffer's "How should we then live?" I read a Corrie Ten Boom comic book when I was about 7. - Erik
Maybe you'd enjoy reading more of Lewis, his books chronicle alot of his journey spiritually. Corrie Ten Boom's "Jesus is Victor" is a favorite of mine, probably because she geared it for the mentally retarded children she taught. It's very simple, but very profound and touches my heart.I gotta go for now, but you didn't answer my question, what do you really want? Answer when you can, and I'll keep checking to see what you say. Later tater! - marti mastbrook
Eric and Marti, you children play nice now. We don't want you to get out of hand. - Better behaved for now
We'll do our best, jerry. - Erik
Eric, What would make you think I was the one who wrote the comment earlier ? - Jerry
You're the only one who consistently misspells my name "Eric." - Erik
Erik, I thought for once I would try to slide in unnoticed but I did not realize I have spelled your name wrong repeatedly. I appoigize for that. - Jerry
HAHA! He got you on that one Jerri! - Austin