When Darkness Veils His Lovely Face
Yesterday, there was a monster storm here in Raleigh, North Carolina where we live. My kids and I sat mesmerized, watching out the window as the sky turned black and buckets of rain poured down. Large hail hammered the pavement while thunder roared and lightning danced.
Then today, while driving my oldest son home from preschool, I saw that the sun was shining and the sky was back to it’s happy, blue self.
Being a weather person (or former one), my brain immediately starts thinking about high pressure moving in, and stability, and how long it might be before the next frontal system comes rolling through. But after all those geeky thoughts, it occurred to me that even though I couldn’t see the sun or feel the sun yesterday - it was still there nonetheless. Just as big and powerful and sunny as ever. The storm just stood in the way.
CALM IN THE STORM
Remember the story about Jesus out on the Sea of Galilee with his disciples when they got caught in a bad storm? The disciples saw the waves crashing into their boat and thought they were all about to die. Jesus, however, was cool as a cucumber. Actually, he was so calm during this storm he slept – which made the disciples feel like He didn’t care about them.
Jesus did care. It’s just that his faith was stronger than his fear.
His faith commanded his fear.
Jesus understood the wind and the waves bow down before the power of the almighty God who created them. And He wanted the disciples to have that same faith and understanding.
THE CONSTANT
There’s an old hymn whose lyrics sing: “when darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace.”
Unchanging grace. Breathe that in.
It’s easy to feel as if God is far away, or doesn’t care, or doesn’t listen. But what if we could simply rest in the fact that God is still God – no matter what – perfectly constant and steady. His grace is unchanging. His love is unwavering. His promise to never leave us or forsake us is truth – and it’s a truth that we can stand on through anything and everything.
Maybe you can’t see him or feel him, and maybe it seems like you’re talking to air – but it’s this belief, this faith, in your head and in your heart that assures you He is here. He does care. The same God who parted the Red Sea, who healed the sick, who raised the dead – He loves you and He is on your side. He heals the broken hearted and comforts those who mourn. He is good
WALK BY FAITH
In my own family, we are continually praying for an awesome miracle. We are crying out for Him to calm the storm. In the meantime, we know and we trust that the God of the universe is present with us. He knows the agony of our suffering. We also trust that in His perfect time He will command,
“Peace! Be still!”
Darkness may veil his lovely face for now, but someday there will be no storms and no shadows – only radiant light and eternal blue skies.
