“Hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?” Job 38:22b-23 (KJV)
I rarely read the King James Version but, as I read one of my devotionals, these verses caught my attention. The treasures of the hail hit me – right between the eyes. This is what I saw.
Okay. Here’s a thought. When you were little and frightened by a thunderstorm, did you ever run to your dad or mom and crawl up in his or her lap, wanting to be comforted with hugs? Just the nearness of the one who loved you sufficed, right?
So, what is my hail? What stormy circumstances pummel me with pellets of heartache? What is my treasure in all this? Where do I go in my tears? To the Father! To the One I know who loves me and longs for me to crawl up in His lap.
Sometimes, we see these trials as black cloud-shapes of the enemy, but not every black cloud contains an enemy. What if those times of trouble could be used against the enemy, for that day of battle? Can I use those situations for God’s glory by not complaining, by being thankful and praising God, and by seeking God’s presence and His will?
Do we realize those dark clouds threatening to overtake us announce His arrival and conceal His presence? F. B. Meyer wrote, “A storm is only the outskirts of His robe—the symptom of His advent and the environment of His presence.” As the hem of His garment. Stirring up the atmosphere. But His presence is in the cloud. His peace awaits us in the midst of the cloud. In the eye of the storm.
The Father’s nearness is our treasure hiding in the dark clouds. Where did David say God hid? “He made darkness His hiding place.” Psalm. 18:11 (NASB)
“Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will. They are the dark chariots of bright grace.” ~Charles Spurgeon
If God hides in the clouds, don’t the riches, the blessings, of His presence await us there? In the eye of the storm awaits the treasures of His guidance, His peace, His words of comfort, the riches of His glory. And more. Do we seek all He has for us in these times?
“Do not be afraid to enter the cloud that is settling down on your life – God is in it. The other side is radiant with His glory.” ~Unknown
Do not allow the clouds and hail of your circumstances to cause the darkness of heartache and discouragement to hover over you. Draw near to God in the dark cloud…and find His treasures awaiting you.
“Under the shrouding curtain of His pavilion, you will find God awaiting you.” ~ Unknown
Remember, when a dark, rumbling cloud looms over your life, it is the advent of His presence. Trust Him. Continue your service to Him. Wait it out, rest in His presence, and things will be better on the other side.
You are never without hope, for He will never leave you lacking the assurance of His presence. He will see you through the hail and the storm.
Praise Him Who rides the clouds over your life, Who meets you in the eye of the storm, in the midst of the pellets of hail, and says, “Peace. Peace, be still!”
What is your hail circumstance? Where does it send you? What is your treasure?
By Lynn Mosher
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