5-18-07 Psalms 18:11,12

Psalms 18:11, 12 (NIVUS)
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

Psalms 18:11, 12 (NLT)
He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds. The brilliance of his presence broke through the clouds, raining down hail and burning coals.

Psalms 18:11, 12 (NRSV)
He made darkness his covering around him, his canopy thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him there broke through his clouds hailstones and coals of fire

Psalms 18:11, 12 (NAS)
He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire.

Children often have secret clubs that have secret club houses. Here they can draw away from society at large and associate with a few special hand-picked friends. As these children grow older, they may seek other ways to draw apart from the crowds. Books or hobbies often become secret places, places to hide for just awhile from the stresses and pressures of life.

Adonai the Most High God also has a secret place. To many, that place appears dark; without God's light, illumination, and revelation, people cannot see into His secret place. These people have very little faith and when they think of the Almighty, they believe that they shall only receive misery and sorrow from His hand. Satan, the god of this world, has blinded their minds from seeing the truth.

God does seem to hide and conceal Himself behind thick and dark storm clouds that are filled with rain, for His home is in the heavens. However, God's throne room is really a bright and brilliant place. His tabernacle glitters and shines with His light and His glory. Those who know their God can see Him clearly, even when He seems to hide behind the clouds of the sky. They know that those clouds are transitory and will go away with the currents of the wind. Although the clouds may drop down hailstones and burning embers, the child of God knows he will escape their wrath. Instead of sulfur and burning brimstone, he will experience a swell smelling savor.

Therefore, child of the Most High, do not fear when God seems to hide in the darkness. If you remain steadfast, you will soon see His brilliant light once more. Momentarily, the clouds will pass by and you will have a clear sky once again.