Even the Greys are Known

“But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job 23:10

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

“We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:2-5

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10

“I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested… Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:9-10 

Streaked, pocked, feathered, wrinkled. Forecasted clouds are thick in the early sky, varying vastly in hue and pattern. Drawn, swept, etched, hatched, smeared, shaded, the handiwork of the Master shows forth His glory in the greys. He knows and sanctifies all the greys.

And so with our sorrows, dead-ends, and dark-before-light times. They appear in all sizes and ways, softly, brooding, heavy, scratching, gradual, sudden. The amorphous weight of grief, the pestering poke and cut of painful reminders and irritations, the soft smothering of despair, all hiding light and color. God knows them all. A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. (Isaiah 53:3-11)

In fact, the Lord on high sees them from the light side, from above the clouds, beyond the marks and heft. He resides with full knowledge and righteous authority, He rides the heavens to our aid and present help. He in whom is no darkness keeps us in the suspension safe. (Deuteronomy 33:26; Psalm 46:1; 1 John 1:5)

Do we trust Him? Have we allowed the greys in our lives to confuse, stir up, and overwhelm? Are we so heavily enmeshed that we cannot receive the lessons to be learned, the hand reaching out, the vibrant promise of relief and redemption? What grace upon grace is the Lord offering in the hard places? Are we looking? Have we paused and concentrated long enough to trace His finger and take His promises for our own as personal for this very time and situation? (John 1:16)

“‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, 
and to take him at his word; 
just to rest upon his promise, 
and to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ 
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! 
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er! 
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! 
O for grace to trust him more!” ~Louisa M. R. Stead (1882)

Omniscient Lord, help me behold Your love, grace, and glory in the greys of life, and trust with hope Your every promise.