God Beyond The Clouds

Today’s Reading: Job 3; Job 4; Acts 8; Acts 9

SCRIPTURE: Job 4:3-6

“Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.  Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.  But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed.  Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?”

OBSERVATION:

It is so easy to give advice to others, but so hard to remember it or apply it to ourselves.  It is advice that we really believe and know to be true, yet when we are in the thick of darkness it is hard to grab hold of it for ourselves. I don’t think that this inconsistency is necessarily hypocritical in nature.  I think it is more human nature in nature.

We all have this wonderful sunny blue sky that we live under - God’s truth, goodness, and faithfullness.  But storms roll in and all we experience is dark clouds, cold rain, and fierce lightening.  We are in crisis, and that’s all we can see.  We forget that the blue sky is still there, just on the other side of the clouds.  

APPLICATION:

The key is to develop my spiritual man so that I can live in a fallen world (under the clouds) while still being anchored as a citizen in the Kingdom of God (the blue sky). I need to spend time each day beyond the clouds with God - sitting quiet, singing in worship, reading His word, praying.  

As I do the Holy Spirit will enable my spiritual self to live above the clouds even if my earthly self experiences a storm.  Experiencing the hardship of the crisis and at the very same time experiencing the hope, comfort, peace, and power of God as a citizen in God’s Kingdom.  The Holy Spirit helps us to keep outside storms from becoming internal storms.  If I want to find God I have to look beyond the clouds.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you are always there.  I may be clouded by my circumstances, but you never change.  The Kingdom of God is established, though not yet fully.  Help me to stake my life there and experience you and all your fullness, even if outwardly I am experiencing a storm. Lord, you are good and your mercies endure forever.  Bless you God and thank you for your love toward me.  In Jesus name - AMEN!