Above the Clouds!

Francis Bourdillon, 1873

What is there above the clouds? Clear blue sky. When the rain is falling fast or the sleet and hail are beating against the window panes—even then the sun is shining bright above, and the sky is blue and clear. We may sometimes get up to the top of a mountain and enjoy fine weather, while the valley below is hidden by clouds or drenched with rain. Be it fair weather or foul below—it is always fine above, if we do but get up high enough.

Sin and care are like clouds. They are all around us here. True, we have bright times now and then, but the clouds soon gather again. There is generally something to weigh on the mind. Trouble often comes; and as for sin, we find it at every step. And often we have more than clouds. Some great sorrow or some strong temptation comes like a storm driving against us. The clouds seem to break and pour down upon our head.

Yet God never changes. As the sun shines brightly above the clouds, so does God reign in glory above all. Whether our days are passing cheerfully by, or care and sin are pressing us down—God is the same, still ruling over all, unchanged and unchangeable.

If we do but get up high enough, we find it so. If we can reach the presence of God, all is bright there. Then we rise above sin and care; the things that vexed us seem to sink into nothing, and we are in sunshine again.

Can we do this? Yes. In heart we may—though not in body. Prayer will take us into God's presence. In our thoughts we may mount above the clouds and enjoy the sunshine of His presence, even while our bodies remain below. Do you know anything of this?

If you know Christ as your Savior and if you have any love to God—then you have found it so in a measure. Sometimes when on your knees, you have felt your heart grow light; you have forgotten the care that pressed on you; your thoughts have gone up to the throne of grace, and you have been in the sunshine of God's presence.

Try to rise above the clouds oftener. Pray more and let your prayers be more the prayers of faith. Think much of Jesus, your Savior, Mediator, Friend. Pray for the influence of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of grace and comfort. And even when your heart seems dead and cold, still believe that "the Lord reigns." He changes not, though you change.

But perhaps you do not know God. Ah, then your happiest times are not truly happy. They cannot be, without God. And when sorrow comes, where do you seek comfort? Are you ever troubled by thoughts of sin? Does it never weigh upon your mind? I do not know how this may be with you; but this I know, that God Himself says, "there is no peace for the wicked," and that "the wages of sin is death."

Yet God is willing to be your God, your reconciled Father in Christ Jesus. If you will come to Him by Christ, you may still find pardon, peace, salvation, joy. You will have the sunshine of His presence in trouble—and hereafter brightness and glory with Him forever!