Clouds

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord. “In that day, I will answer,” says the Lord. “I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds. And the sky will answer the earth with rain. Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees."
Hosea 2:20-22a NLT

When I was a kid, I hated the rain. It got dark. You couldn't go outside. And if my mother saw even the slightest flash of lightning, the TV was unplugged and we couldn't talk on the phone, either... However, I loved rainbows! And you can't have a rainbow unless there is some rain. Amen?

I remember one morning taking a detour to the beach to watch the sunrise. The clouds were thick, yet they caught the glimmering pink of the sun before it peeked over the horizon. The dull grey of the water took on a pearlized beauty as it mirrored the coral color caught in the clouds... the same clouds that threatened rain at some point during the day. And as much as we need the rain, for the briefest of moments, I did not want to be rained on while doing the errands I had on my list for that day.

As I watched the sun climb, the clouds thickened, and as they did, the sun continued its unhurried, yet constant ascent to break over the horizon, hurling its colors across those clouds. While the morning dawned on me physically, it also dawned on me that without the clouds, there would be nothing to reflect the light that causes the color to be so breathtaking. Some people may hate to see clouds in the sky, but no clouds equal no incredible colors sponged in streaks across the sky. And it was then I caught the parallel to our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.

If our lives were perfect (no dark times), we could be a light that people might notice if we were gone, but rarely do people stop to look at a clear, cloudless sky. However, when the clouds of discouragement or distress bluster in and billow around us, if we will reflect the Son as HE lights our way, the breathtaking beauty of HIS reflection will cause those who witness it to pull over, stop and drink it all in.

The sky pleads for clouds to answer the earth with rain to provide water for the thirsty cries of those living things that would die without the evidence of rain... and especially His latter rain.

Prayer:

Father,
You know what we need to make us grow in You and to effectively touch the lives of those around us. Thank You for bringing the rain and the sun as You see fit to accomplish Your purpose in our lives. We trust You, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Past the Storm Clouds

When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. 
Genesis 9:14-15 NLT

There was a lot of chatter at work today about Tropical Storm Cindy, and the level of concern depended largely on which news venue they listened to. Here in southeast Texas, 45 mph winds are not cause for great concern among the general population, and 4 inches of rain seems about standard for a summer storm. I guess the difference is sustained winds versus gusts.  

I was on my way home from church this evening and watched the storm clouds begin to gather. Thick and dark and rolling in like tumbleweed, but every now and then, I'd catch a quick glimpse of sun in the cloud break. Then about halfway home, I saw a snippet of a rainbow behind the bloated clouds. It winked out a few times, and just as I arrived home, the clouds parted and the rainbow appeared - beautiful and vibrant as the covenant it represents. Mere moments later, it was swallowed up in clouds as though it had never been, but I still knew it was there.

It was a great illustrated sermon of the storms of life. If we know God and we know His Word, we should know that we can trust Him no matter what we see. Yes, the storms of life will come. Yes, the clouds will gather and life will seem dark. Yes, the winds will blow, and we may not see what we want to see. But this we know - above it all - the Son of God still reigns. His covenant with us is forever.  As God's Word assures us in 2nd Corinthians 4:18, So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Look past the storm. You will find Him. He is there.

Prayer:

Father,

            Thank You for illustrating Your love and promises to us. Thank You that Your covenants are forever. You always provide what we require to be able to trust You. What a loving Father You are! Keep us ever mindful to look past the storm. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Cloudy, with a Glimpse of Son

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord. “In that day, I will answer,” says the Lord. “I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds. And the sky will answer the earth with rain. Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees."
Hosea 2:20-22a NLT

When I was a kid, I hated the rain. It got dark. You couldn't go outside. And if my mother saw even the slightest flash of lightning, the TV was unplugged and we couldn't talk on the phone, either... However, I loved rainbows! And you can't have a rainbow, unless there is some rain. Amen?

This morning, I took a detour to Sylvan Beach to watch the sunrise. The clouds were thick, yet they caught the glimmering pink of the sun before it peeked over the horizon. The dull grey of the water took on a pearlized beauty as it mirrored the coral color caught in the clouds... the same clouds that threatened rain at some point during the day. And as much as we need the rain, for the briefest of moments, I did not want to be rained on while doing the errands I had on my list for today.

As I watched the sun climb, the clouds thickened, and as they did, the sun continued its unhurried, yet constant ascent to break over the horizon, hurling its colors across those clouds. While the morning dawned on me physically, it also dawned on me that without the clouds, there would be nothing to reflect the light that causes the color to be so breathtaking. Some people may hate to see clouds in the sky, but no clouds equals no incredible colors sponged in streaks across the sky. And it was then I caught the parallel to our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.

If our lives were perfect (no dark times), we could be a light that people might notice if we were gone, but rarely do people stop to look at a clear, cloudless sky. However, when the clouds of discouragement or distress bluster in and billow around us, if we will reflect the Son as HE lights our way, the breathtaking beauty of HIS reflection will cause those who witness it to pull over, stop and drink it all in.

The sky pleads for clouds to answer the earth with rain to provide water for the thirsty cries of those living things that would die without the evidence of rain... His latter rain.

Prayer:

Father,
        You know what we need to make us grow in You and to effectively touch the lives of those around us. We trust You, Lord. Bring on the sun and the rain as You see fit. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen