CLOUDS

“And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them" (Job 37:21 KJV).

Just as clouds are often part of the sky, so clouds are often part of our life. None will have a cloudless sky. Our verse deals with this problem of clouds and gives some good perspective about clouds. It speaks of the darkness of clouds, the dividends of clouds, and the dislodgment of clouds.

Darkness of clouds - “Men see not the bright light which is in the clouds.” Clouds prevent the sun from shining, and they can make a day very dark. In a similar manner, clouds in our life often seem very dark and gloomy. We often become very discouraged when troubles and trials cloud up our life. When the skies of our life are cloud covered, the tendency is to think that we will never see the sun again; that we will never be happy again.

Dividends of clouds - “Men see not the bright light which is in the clouds.” Symbolically, the phrase “bright light” speaks of the blessing of clouds. If there were no clouds with the rain, the earth would be a barren waste. Likewise, if we did not have clouds in our lives sometimes, our lives would be unfruitful and barren. Just as the earth needs clouds to be productive, so we humans need clouds to be productive. There is indeed a “bright light” of blessing in the clouds. Sometimes, troubles and trials can do more for our faith and character than can sunshine.

Dislodgment of clouds – “The wind passeth, and cleanseth them.” This is figurative language describing the removal of the clouds from the sky by the winds. Clouds are not permanent. Likewise, our troubles and trials will not last forever. God will remove them, and we will see the clear sky and sunshine again. When the clouds come, let’s focus on the blessing they bring, and remember they are not permanent. The sun is still above the clouds and sooner or later we will see the sun again.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Clouds in our lives are sent many times to bring showers of blessing!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Discuss

In Luke 22:23 we read, “And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing” (NASB).

Discuss is the Greek word suzēteō (συζητέω = sood-zay-teh'-o). It is made up of two words: “sun” which means together, and “zeteo” which means to seek, inquire. Thus, it means to carry on a discussion, to inquire together, to dispute, debate or argue.

In Classical Greek suzēteō means to discuss, carry on a discussion, from which then develop the meanings to dispute, debate, argue. There is no reference to suzēteō in the Septuagint. In the New Testament, suzēteō was used to describe a discussion, controversy, confrontation, argument as well as to describe a debate. Of special note is its use in Act 9:29 depicting an important time in the ministry of the apostle Paul as he debated the Hellenistic Jews.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would suffer outside the camp (Lev. 16:27)

New Testament Fulfillment – Heb. 13:11-13

Bible Facts

The cause of suffering revealed (Gen. 3; Isa. 24:5-6). The earth is subject to misery, which appears at odds with our wonderfully designed universe. However, the Bible, not evolution, explains the origin of suffering. When mankind rebelled against God, the curse resulted - introducing affliction, pain and death into the world.

Bible Quiz

Approximately how old was Jesus when he was baptized by John?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: Who prayed and sang praises in the middle of the night while in prison at Philippi? Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25)

That’s in the Bible

"Riotous living”

"And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living” (Luke 15:13 KJV).

“Riotous living” - The expression “riotous living” carries the idea of a lifestyle of sin. The undisciplined life of the younger son quickly resulted in waste, extravagance, loose, reckless, wild, extravagant and sinful living. Notice that it was the son who moved, the father remained. Such is the life of sin; man is always drawing away from God. We are always heading for trouble whenever we value things more than people, and pleasure more than duty. A dissatisfied heart leads to a disappointed life. The prodigal learned the hard way that you cannot enjoy the things money can buy if you ignore the things money cannot buy.

Did You Know - Christian History

Charles Simeon was born was born September 24, 1759 in Reading, Berkshire, England. He was an English evangelical clergyman and Biblical Commentator who led the Evangelical movement, in reaction to the ritual of the High Church.

Simeon was educated at Eton College and King’s College, Cambridge. He was converted to Christianity after taking communion at an Easter chapel service. Simeon became a zealous Christian and was later appointed vicar of Trinity Church. This resulted in serious opposition as the congregation wanted the assistant curate as vicar. The pews were half empty because the people boycotted him. In spite of this opposition, Simeon persevered. He preached directly from the Word of God, and gradually won some of the congregation to his side.

Further, Simeon became a leader of the Evangelicals in the Church of England. He helped bring into existence the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Religious Tract Society, the Church Missionary Society, and other influential Evangelical organizations. His spiritual influence on young Cambridge men over the decades is incalculable. By helping in the appointment of evangelical chaplains to India, Simeon encouraged the spread of your gospel in that country when the East India Company would not allow missionaries. Among his protégés was Henry Martyn, famed as a missionary and Bible translator.

Simeon published hundreds of sermons and sermon outlines called “sermon skeletons;” many which are still in print. His chief work is a commentary on the whole Bible, entitled Hoare Homileticae. In 1816, in order to ensure the continuity of Evangelical teaching, Simeon established the Simeon Trust to aid clergymen.

Asked how he had endured his many afflictions, old Simeon replied, “My dear brother, we must not mind a little suffering for Christ’s sake. When I am getting through a hedge, if my head and shoulders are safely through, I can bear the pricking of my legs. Let us rejoice in the remembrance that our holy Head has surmounted all His suffering and triumphed over death. Let us follow Him patiently; we shall soon be partakers of His victory.” Simeon preached until two months before his death in 1836. He is remembered in the Episcopal Church of the United States with a Lesser Feast and in the Anglican Church of Canada with a Commemoration on 13 November. In the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 13 November.

A Little Humor

After attending a prayer meeting where everyone prayed very loudly, a little boy remarked, “If they lived nearer to God, they wouldn’t have to pray so loud.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“A life given to God is a life well spent; a life not given to God is a life wasted!”