Earlier this morning the clouds were dark, and it was pouring down with rain, and now as I look out of the window the clouds have parted, and the sun is shining brightly. Life is a bit like that at times we experience the dark clouds and pouring, while at other times the clouds have parted, and the sun shines brightly on our lives. The truth is that God is with us in the dark times as well as the times of sunshine. Outwardly it appears to be easier to follow God when the sun is shining, and everything is going well in our lives, but that is not always the case. Sometimes the exact opposite is true; it at such time that we are more inclined to take God for granted and be less diligent in seeking after God. Often, it is when things are at there darkest that we recognise more fully our need for God, and we encounter God more deeply. Indeed, it is more often in the darkest of times that our faith grows and our experience of God deepens than when everything is going well and the sun is shining brightly upon our lives. Thus, in the good times we need to guard against complacency and in the difficult times we need to be open to the deepening work of God in our lives.