Daily Devotional

"Clouds"

I want to see the clouds!

I am buckled in and waiting for the plane to take off.  The plane rumbles as the power of the engines are engaged.  Then it happens- the plane screeches forward. I feel the bump, jiggles and sway as the plane increases speed.  Then that magic moment when lift off from the bumpy ground gives way to smooth as silk.  We are flying in the air!  I am amazed that this is possible!

Man’s achievement is astounding! Up, up we soar. We sail through the clouds!

I can finally see it!  A vast carpet of clouds are below me! I marvel at their scalloped edges that sparkle in the sunlight!  So captivatingly beautiful! God, you are so great! What is man’s mere achievement next to you!

The Holy Spirit directs my attention to a passage of Scripture:
I Thessalonians 4:16,17 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

This airplane now seems so elementary, compared to the mode of travel God has designed for us on the glorious day of His return!  God always gives us a bit of mystery to muse on.

When will this happen? How will this happen?  It all seems so heavenly. The wonder of it all staggers our imagination!  Part of the joy is the anticipation-- Just like a child waiting to open Christmas presents.  But the purpose is more than joyful anticipation.

Vs. 18 “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”  We live in a sick and sinful world. It is disheartening, scary and discouraging.  Our loving Heavenly Father wants us to know that this joyous event will come and it will be wonderful!  We will meet the Lord in the clouds, and we will always be with the Lord!

The plane has begun it descent.  I pray I remember often this lesson that the Holy Spirit filled my mind with today.  The clouds will remind me.

PARENTS:
  • On the next cloudy day, lay on the ground and gaze at the clouds with your kids. Tell them that the clouds can remind them to look forward to Heaven.
  • Talk to your kids about the day in the future when they will live in Heaven with Jesus and there will be no suffering or sin. When they die, they will instantly be in the presence of God. There will be so many surprises to discover in heaven! Let them express their ideas of what they imagine Heaven will be like.
  • Explain that God did not describe every detail of heaven.  Just like we all get excited about Christmas presents.  It’s fun to look forward to opening the gifts! One day we will open our eyes to our big gift of Heaven!
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