Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.” Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (TLB)
I noticed strange light penetrating the windows as I groggily peered outside. It’s 5:30 in the morning. What’s going on? Grabbing my housecoat, I stumbled downstairs and walked out my back door. I noticed clouds like huge cotton balls moving swiftly across the sky. The patchy cumulus clouds flowed like receding ocean water.
They soon rolled away revealing the reason why night seemed brighter than usual. A dazzling full moon with a big glittering star beside it lit up the clear dark blue sky. “Absolutely gorgeous, God. Only you can reveal such beauty,” I said out loud, “especially after three gloomy days of rain.”
Energetically I walked inside for coffee and quiet time with the LORD, but soon my heart grew heavy. Through prayer God revealed names of people in agony from physical ailments, a loved one’s death, a prodigal child, suicide, and the consequences of sin. Dreary weather might generate downcast people but continuous sorrow and anguish—how do people deal with it day in and day out? What must our Heavenly Father see across the universe as His children cope with incessant suffering, especially at night?
Alone and tired, tears increase as fears loom larger in the middle of the night. Daily chores may momentarily distract us from the misery in our minds, but hours of darkness intensify gloom and doom. The truth of weakness invades souls and a strong desire to be rescued emerges. Guess who completely understands? Our Savior and Deliverer Jesus Christ.
One dark night in Gethsemane’s Garden, Jesus completely experienced human weakness as He pleaded with His Heavenly Father to take away the suffering He was to endure. He knew why He had come to earth, He understood what the morning would bring, and He cried out to God for a different answer. Earlier He asked His disciples to watch and pray with Him, but they failed Him several times. He agonized alone in fervent prayer, while His sweat dropped to the ground as blood. Imagine His weariness, His loneliness, His dread until Heavenly Father poured strength into His soul. Standing up in mighty power, He prepared to fulfill His mission on earth. Thanks be to God!
Be reminded of a God who understands His children. Being fully human, He experienced humanity’s emotions. Being fully divine, He conquered sin, death, and the devil. Don’t forget how Satan desires to lure us away from the power of God’s grace. Remember the Almighty God who loves each one of us enough to sacrifice His life for our salvation.
Visualizing a full moon and bright stars after several dreary days of rain issued peace within my soul. I was reminded how clouds do not separate me from the wonder of God because His Word says clouds are the dust of His feet. He is always nearby, promising never to leave us. We can trust Him, even on our dreariest day.
When clouds cover the sky or your situation becomes overcast, allow God and the truth of His Word to pierce the darkness. Look to the Cloud-Maker as He rolls back the murky veil from your face. See His feet in your clouds and walk with Him. Peer through your situation into the splendor beyond. God always works in your life for your good and His glory.