Therefore I will look unto the Lord...

" He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap." Ecclesiastes 11:4

This morning was a dreary day. Clouds abounded in the sky. Looking outside, I noticed the darkness of the early hours lift up a bit. But there was no sun peeking out, just dark grey clouds. I went for a walk and felt the gloominess of the day take its toll on me. So focused was I on the clouds, that my disposition became gloomy within...

Do you ever change with the "weather" ?  Do you ever find yourself in a dark and gloomy place? Do you focus on the "clouds"  and fail to see the blessings they bring in the form of rain?

Sometimes, our surroundings... the trials and testings of the day....  keep us so focused on the "clouds"... that we begin to succumb to a state of hopelessness. A state where we are of no use... a state where there's no sowing of seeds, nor reaping of fruit.

As I kept walking, and felt myself downcast,  I heard an old familar hymn playing on a favorite online station... I caught just a single phrase:

" I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face..."

Oh, how that phrase brought me back to a state of thankfulness. It was, as in an instant, that I was able to lift my head "above the clouds" and see my Lord and Saviour as the only sunshine that I'd ever need!

And so, the morning, while dreary and gloomy...  all of a sudden began to look bright and full of hope. How thankful I was for the reminder that when I sit in darkness, He is my constant LIGHT that never ceases to shine in my life.

" ... when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." 

Micah 7:8

" ... He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness."  

Micah 7:9 

Yes, the clouds have a place in our lives... but how important to look beyond... and see the blessings they most surely bring. These couple of verses from the hymn I heard this morning was such a blessing to me, that I pray you too will be blessed to dwell upon the completed work of the cross...

Beneath The Cross of Jesus

Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see

The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;

And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;

The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;

Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,

My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

       Eliz­a­beth C. Cle­phane, 1868

Precious Father, how thankful we are for the Light that has shone in our hearts in the face of Jesus Christ.

May you delight in light of His presence today... 

~Ellie