Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Nehemiah 8-9
NT: Luke 8
W&W: Psalm 48
Today’s Reflection:
There is a story in Luke 8 in which Jesus and his disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee on a small boat. Jesus fell asleep as they sailed, and while he was sleeping a storm came up causing the disciples to fear for their lives. They wakened Jesus and he – with a simple word – calmed the storm. As the disciples witnessed this, they asked, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
As I thought about this story, I wondered about the winds and the water in your life. To me, the water represents just the “stuff” of life – family, job, health, responsibilities, relationships, etc. As long as things are going smoothly, the stuff of life is not threatening. There are times, however, when storms arise, and the wind starts to blow across our lives. The wind represents problems that come – divorce, lay-offs, sickness, heavy burdens, estrangement, etc. When problems come, even the stuff of life can become threatening. You see, water plus wind equals waves, and it’s the waves that undo us.
But, I have good news for you. Even the winds and the water obey Jesus! He is Lord over the wind – the storms of life. These storms can come to you only as they pass through his permissive will, and he knows what you can bear. He is Lord over the water – the stuff of life. He sees all the details of your life and knows just how it all fits together. As a matter of fact, the Bible says that in everything (all the stuff and storms of life) he is working for your good (Romans 8.28)! Finally, if you are facing waves right now remember that they are simply the combined ingredients of wind and water. And, since Jesus is Lord over both wind and water, he is Lord over the waves.
Be encouraged, dear friend! I know I am! The waves need not overwhelm us, for Jesus commands the waves!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.4-5: Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
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4 comments:
I really find myself leaning on that verse in Romans, Dad... God is working for my good, even if I can't see it.
Do you ever feel like God must surely be overestimating what you can handle? Maybe you're more mature than me (undoubtedly you are) and you never face these feelings... I know in my heart that God is in control, but it's easy to panic when the water feels way too choppy! When I feel this way I try to remember that I'm not SUPPOSED to be in control, I'm supposed to be leaning on God for control, and he can handle anything! Thank the Lord he doesn't leave it up to me, because without his strength and guidance I would surely drown in the waves.
Your Mom made a great observation on the way home from church today. Said, she felt as though God were saying, "If I don't do what you want will you still trust me?" She wasn't saying that God wouldn't answer the prayers and give us a place to go soon, but what she was saying was that we need to be in the place where we leave it in God's hands. Simply. Only. That is scary to be that much out of control - to the point where you leave even the desire in God's hands. But, we know that he is faithful and will do what ultimately is the best for us. And for our precious girls - all 5 of them - and the boys in their lives!
SO true Dad. We had an excellent sermon about this exact thing a few months ago... will you only trust God when he gives you the answers you want? Do you love the Lord for who he is or what he can do for you? It's one thing to leave your life in his hands, in his will... it's another to give him control over the desires of your heart. But on the other hand, why not give him control there too? To not leaves us open to more disappointment than is necessary. Easier said than done, right Dad?
Right, Bub!
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