Light Shines Beyond the Clouds
By William Covert
DOWN in the valley, as we camped by the Cumberland during the war, the clouds were hanging low, obscuring all the beauties of the hills by which we were surrounded, and not even the sun in the heavens could be seen by men with the keenest of eyes; but we knew the sun was shining, although we could not see it except by faith. So, when the bugle ordered us forward, we began to climb toward the mountain top. For hours, as we ascended, the mist held sway, for we were actually enveloped in it. But about ten o'clock we reached an altitude higher than the clouds, and O, how glorious was the shining of that autumn day of 1863 to us when we had by sturdy climbing overcome the mist which still was enshrouding every object down in the valley! The markings between the sunshine and the clouds were so distinct that every man knew when he stepped out of the darkness into the light. And still the dense fog abode in the valley all day long, while the mountain range above the cloud line was sun-crowned and radiant with the unusual contrast that was made between darkness and light. When the van of our army emerged from the cloud, with drum and fife leading, they began to express their joy before the rear guard reached the day line. THE LIGHT MADE THE DIFFERENCE
But their exultation was nothing strange, for walking in the light made the difference; yet the men could not appreciate the beautiful sunshine while they were marching through the fog. However, the sun was shining all the time as they were climbing. As the mist hid the sun from view, so may we allow doubts to hide the sunshine of God's love from our view. Yes, He does love us even though we allow doubts to becloud our pathway up the ascent to the land of glory. God's love is constant as the sun, and neither night nor clouds can hinder it. What we should do is to climb up higher, and by faith get nearer to God. There are beautiful things all around us, but sometimes down in the valley the clouds hide them from view. All the morning up the mountain road we were passing beautiful hills and pleasant valleys, but the mist kept them out of our sight, and we became in mood like the fog along the way. Let us pray for a faith that can see God through the clouds, and enable us to sing even before we cross over the daylight line.