Heavy clouds have sunk onto the hills round about us,
resting their heavy flanks on the brows of the hills and roiling their dampness
into every dip and glen. There is no horizon outside today, just an expanse of
grey stretching as far as I can see.
I have to confess that having heard today’s news on the
radio a few times, I feel as if heavy clouds have sunk onto my brain, soaking
every synapse in the damp pervasiveness of evil in our time. The body of a
three year old child who has been missing for a few days has been found, and
his mother is being questioned. Reports from Afghanistan indicate that violence
against women there is on the rise as western forces withdraw and gender
repression is powerful and resurgent. The world’s newest nation, South Sudan,
is on the verge of collapse and genocide is a real possibility. I read details
of a 46 year old marriage which ended in divorce last year as the husband
started a relationship with the wife’s friend. And so on.
Meeting the heavy clouds is the damp stench of the swamp we seem to be mired in.
I’m listening to an inspiring Hillsong composition called
God is Able, as I write this. He will never fail. He is Almighty God. I am
reminding myself of that.
The heavy clouds of evil and oppression may blank out any
vision of the sun. If I were trying to explain what the sun is today to an
alien who just emerged from underground, he would find it incomprehensible.
But that doesn’t make it any the less real. I know that the
sun is there, on the other side of these damp grey clouds, and that it will
shine again.
I know that God is always good, that the Son is there, on my
side and yours, and that he has overcome evil at the cross. ‘My hope is built
on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.’ One day he will sweep in
and mop up the final flings of the enemy and then...peace will reign forever. God
is for us; he has open arms; he will never fail us. Christ alone. My
cornerstone.
Remember that today when you hear the news, when you see the
injustice and oppression, when your heart aches with anguish for those who
suffer. God’s heart aches too, and not only has he given his answer to it all
in Jesus, he also is expecting us to do what we can, in our own wee corner, to
make a difference today.
Even though it seems like explaining what the sun is to an
underground alien who can’t see it, offer someone who is at the point of
despair today the certain hope that Jesus is for us, and he has overcome evil.
And raise your voice in protest; your heart in prayer; your
eyes to the heavens, expectantly.
