The Darkness - His Covering

"11He made darkness His covering,

His canopy around him,

thick clouds dark with water.

12Out of the brightness before Him hailstones

and coals of fire broke through His clouds.

13The LORD also thundered in the heavens,

and the Most High uttered His voice,

hailstones and coals of fire.

14And He sent out his arrows and scattered them;

He flashed forth lightnings and routed them.

15Then the channels of the sea were seen,

and the foundations of the world were laid bare

at Your rebuke, O LORD,

at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

16He sent from on high, he took me;

he drew me out of many waters.

17He rescued me from my strong enemy

and from those who hated me,

for they were too mighty for me.

18They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

but the LORD was my support.

19He brought me out into a broad place;

He rescued me, because He delighted in me."

-Psalm 18: 11 - 19

"28For it is You who light my lamp;

the LORD my God lightens my darkness.

29For by You I can run against a troop,

and by my God I can leap over a wall.

30This God—His way is perfect;

the word of the LORD proves true;

He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him."

-Psalm 18:28-30

There are times when all seems so very dark. The black clouds are so thick light cannot penetrate, until the hailstones come pelting down and the furious lightning cracks. All feels, so alone, and fearful, and the voice of God isn't audible.

Yet He makes the darkness His covering; concealed in this darkness is God Himself...

Those dark times, those lost, alone times are often those we look back on as times of our greatest spiritual growth. The dark not only makes us aware of how much we need the light, but also, perhaps, allows Him to creep in, subtley - at times when we need Him the most.

Then He draws us out of the many waters, and lightens our darkness. We are rescued, invigorated, and strengthened - and by our God we can leap over a wall.

The darkness causes fear and helplessness, yet it allows our God to creep in and rescue us - right at the perfect time when we need Him the most.

And then finally, His light breaks through the clouds.