“I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining; I believe in love, even when it is hidden; I believe in God, even when he is silent.” (Air-raid shelter; Cologne, France; WWII)
On this first day of spring, we look in vain for the sun; but we believe the sun is still shining beyond the clouds.
When we are gloomy, God overshadows us with invulnerable joy. Guardian angels spread their wings over us, surpassing angst with ecstasy. When life gets dreary, God’s Presence brightens our inner being. Clouds veil the azure sky, but the sun is still shining beyond the gray dome of mist—that blazing star will warm our faces and cheer our spirits when the storms are over. Dark happenings of our life hide God’s smile; but when we hold His hand in the dark, His consolations cheer our soul.
When we are crushed by guilt, God overshadows us with redeeming grace. As humans, we stumble now and then, but our Defense Counsel helps us get to our feet again if we request His help. Moral failure need not devastate us—God’s forgiveness and mercy unburdens us. If we pay the price of repentance, the Lord promises to throw our sins overboard and hide them irretrievably in ocean depths of oblivion.
When we are grieving, God overshadows us with consolation. When emotions clash on tidal waves of fearful worry and hopeful trust, heaven’s gift of perfect peace calms pandemonium and keeps us on an even keel on high seas. His voice hushes the sea to sleep so we can rest easy.
When we feel the urge to complain, God overshadows us with goodness. If we feel cheated by life’s unfairness, pausing to consider how we have been blessed will enable us to stop whining and start worshiping.
When we’re overwhelmed by life’s difficulties, we should recall God’s promise to overshadow us. Centrifugal influences threaten to tear us apart, but He holds us together by the centripetal force of grace. In chaos, Christ is our Center of Gravity. In sin, Jesus is our Salvation. In sadness, the Holy Spirit is our Song. In spinelessness, the Almighty is our Strength. In labyrinths, the Lord is our Leader. In confusion, God is our Counselor.
In The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a` Kempis wrote “There is no man in this world without some manner of tribulation or anguish, though he be king or pope.” Whatever our trouble, if we open the eyes of our heart we will wonder at the contour of angel wings. Life is sometimes overwhelming, but Love always overshadows us.
The cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. Exodus 37:9 ESV
Johnny R. Almond
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
[This devotion based on Day 57 of Gentle Whispers]
Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia
Blog & book info http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/
