Experiencing His presence!

He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters And thick clouds of the skies.                 Psalm 18:11 (NKJV)
 
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him.

                                                                            Psalm 68:4 (NKJV)
 
Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.                                    Psalm 97:2 (NKJV)

He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind.

                                                                            Psalm 104:3 (NKJV)

 

 

My daughter was recently wed to a wonderful young man!  Many preparations and expense went into the day.  Both the wedding ceremony and the reception were planned as outdoor events, which seemed to be a great decision as all of the weather forecasts predicted a warm (hot even), clear, sunny day.  Yet 2 days before the event, predictions of rain came.  Oh no!

 

Many had prayed for a wonderful marriage celebration and that the Lord would be present throughout.  On the day of, as my daughter and I reached the venue, the skies were darkening and small sprinklings of rain began to fall.  “Lord, why?  You’ve blessed all of our preparations to this point.  Why must it rain now and if it must, please don’t let it rain on us!”  Well, only small sprinklings, for a short period of time, fell on us that day.  And I watched dark clouds pass over us without a down-pour of rain.  What I didn’t know, and was informed of later, is that it had rained all around us. 

 

Days later, something occurred this me…..in scripture, the Lord said that He dwells amidst the clouds, dark clouds even.  Hmmm? “Lord, was I asking for your presence, and praying against Your presence at the same time?”  And how many times have I asked Him to show himself strong and not understood the manner in which He moved.  Just wondering.......

 

I will never forget that day.  And not just because of the joyous celebration, but moreso because of the magnificent presence of the Lord.  So many people commented later about being affected by the event in ways that they hadn’t expected.  I know what was felt was His presence!

 

I've learned my lesson.

 

"Lord, I trust you and your ways are higher than the heavens.  You answer the prayers of your people. And you grace us with your presence!  Though storm clouds may enter my life, you’re a God who rides among the clouds and I never need fear in your presence!  Forgive me, Lord and move freely throughout my life.  May I smile at each cloud (literal and figurative ones) that I see from this day forward!"

 

Loved ones, be blessed.