Today’s readings: Hosea 13:6–16; Acts 28:1–16; Luke 9:28–36
I remember the first time I flew, in the early 1960’s, on a propeller plane from Houston to Harlingen, Texas. When we left, the sky was bright and sunny; but suddenly we entered a dense cloud. Logically, I knew that the pilot had instruments to guide him, but not being able to see ahead was terrifying to me.
So it was for Peter, James, and John on the mountain with Jesus. They had already seen Moses and Elijah with Jesus and the glory of his dazzling white clothing—sights which defied explanation. Then, they were enveloped in a dense cloud and their sight was obscured.
Most of us will never have such a powerful experience of the glory of God, but we do have times when we cannot see clearly where we are to go or what to do. We become enveloped in clouds of doubt. Remember, though, that when God led his people out of slavery in Egypt, he sent ahead of them a pillar of cloud to show them the way.
The clouds of doubt and fear that obscure our sight may be a source of God’s guidance to us on our journey. In that cloud on the mountain, the disciples experienced the presence of God in a way that transformed them forever.
Prayer: God of Glory, help us to see, even within the clouds that surround us, that you are with us always to guide us; make us bold to move forward in trust and obedience. Amen.
Today’s devotion was written by Marty Ramey, interim Pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Monroe, NC.
Tomorrow’s readings: Hosea 14:1–9; Acts 28:17–31; Luke 9:37–50