They Have a Black Cloud (Malachi 4:2)

In medicine, the appellation “black cloud” is applied to physicians who attract a large number of hospital admissions and/or complicated cases when they are on call. In my career, I have definitely had my share of black cloud days. But it does seem that some physicians have this dubious distinction applied to them with more frequency than others.

As difficult as those black cloud days were, it was during those times I learned some of the greatest lessons of medicine. I learned to prioritize and appropriately triage resources, including my own time and stamina. I learned nuances of disease presentations that could never be learned in a textbook. And I learned humility, that I needed to work and rely upon others when the workload was overwhelming. An aphorism that still rings true today is, “For every cloud, there is a silver lining.”

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Malachi 4:2

This verse is a reminder that the black clouds of exile for the Jewish people will ultimately lead to the shining sun of God’s promise, God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The healing the Jesus Christ brings is for everyone who places his trust in Him. If we confess our sins to Him, He is righteous and just to forgive us our sins and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. For Jesus is the light who illumines our lives and shows us the truth, when our days seem darkest and the clouds are blackest.

Praise God for His presence and mercy!

Love and seek the Lord; seek His will in your life.