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Matthew 8:24-27 – Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" (NIV)
By contrast, this afternoon, I was sitting watching a gentle breeze blow the leaves on a tree one way, then, without explanation, blow them another way, and then, unexpectedly, stop blowing them. I certainly can't explain why wind currents constantly change as they do.
With these gentle breezes, I felt perfectly safe and able to navigate through them. When the winds suddenly strengthen, however, it is not as easy.
I remembered being in St. Croix a few years ago, when we were warned that a hurricane was approaching. The US Air Force "Hurricane Hunters" left the island as they said that it was too dangerous to stay!
We were unable to leave in time.
At 6 a.m. the next day, the hurricane roared through, just missing the mainland, but sounding like a mighty freight train as it roared past. After it passed by, everything was extremely calm. In fact, our departure flight the next day was one of the smoothest that I have ever experienced.
As I thought about these inexplicable changes in wind currents, I thought how similar they are to life.
You may or may not have experienced a difficult time in a raging storm. But I am certain that you do experience sudden and unexplained changes in your life, even if you feel that you are able to navigate through them.
We each have two choices.
We can fight on, doing our best and responding in our own strength — or we can follow the direction set out in today's passage from Matthew 8. We can turn to the One Who controls all things, even the wind. It requires faith, sometimes great faith, but He never fails us.
I take great comfort in the words penned by Stanley Ditmer (1924-2003):
- I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me;
The God I serve is one who cares and understands;
Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me,
Of this I am assured: I'm in His hands.
I'm in His hands, I'm in His hands;
Whate'er the future holds, I'm in His hands;
The days I cannot see have all been planned for me;
His way is best, you see; I'm in His hands.
What though I cannot know the way that lies before me,
I still can trust and freely follow His commands;
My faith is firm since He it is who watches o'er me;
Of this I'm confident: I'm in His hands.
In days gone by my Lord has always proved sufficient,
When I have yielded to the law of love's demands;
Why should I doubt that He would evermore be present
To make His will my own? I'm in His hands!
Prayer: Dear God, help us to follow Your words in Isaiah 41:10 (NIV): "So do not fear, for I am with You; do not be dismayed, for I am your God." Amen.
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Good advice, Vince.
Amen to your helpful devotional.
Thank you, Vincent. Good advice for difficult times.
Thank you for today’s message. God bless, stay safe.
Well done, Vince. These are comforting thoughts for today’s world.
Blessings to you.
Thank you, Vincent, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Blessings.
Really great today, thank you. Is the poem a song. Just seems like it is something I have heard to music.
Thank you for your message for today. It is really good to reflect on the fact that He is holding us in His hands whatever life may bring to us.
Hello Vince,
Good words from Stanley Ditmer. Thanks for sharing them. Yes, we are in the Lord’s hands and His strength carries us through whatever we encounter. Blessings for writing.
Thank you again for the reminder that we are in His Hands.
Listening to the news and all the turmoil in politics and nature could make us depressed but for the fact that we are in His hands.
Thank you so much for your comforting words.
I always look forward to your devotional, keep up the good work.
I feel you have many experiences to share.
Do hope you are in an air conditioning residence. It is hot on Lake Huron, too.
Hi Vincent!
Thank you for reminding there IS One who can calm the storms, even hurricane strength!
Thanks for your faithfulness in composing these Devotionals over many years!
(BC)
Good Morning, Mr. Walter,
I have been ENJOYING your devotionals for a long time. THANK YOU so MUCH for sharing your faith, life experiences, wisdom, knowledge, sense of humor, and much appreciated scripture verses! Every time I see your name at the bottom of a devotional I smile!
May our dearest Lord bless you and keep you!
Good morning Vince
Thank you for this devotional, good timing. I will hold onto Isaiah 41:10 as a powerful reminder of the one of serve.
My husband has COPD and has been told to stop smoking which he did a few months ago, but he thinks he can have one just whenever and not get back in that habit again. I am upset about this, but I have to trust God, I have been praying for many years for him to finally quit. In God’s time, right??
God bless.
Good morning Vincent,
These last few days it has been a gentle wind which has made my walk walkable. It has been so humid in Toronto that I have not wanted to go. Even though I am going earlier in the day I am sweating but the breeze allows me to go out and accomplish it. It is interesting to note, for me, the different directions of the streets impacts the wind and so I know when I change directions, I will feel it again. Because of the humidity it makes this more obvious. Your advice that we have two choices is so true, but sometimes it is difficult to remember that. We have an automatic response because of our independent streak, and we must remember to ask God for his help and follow his will not our own. A beautiful poem ensuring us of God’s faithfulness and comfort when we are afraid of what lies ahead.
May God continue to bless you with ideas to share with us in your own kind way to encourage us to grow our faith and to pass it along to others. When we are loved, so we will love others.
Thank for this good share of your faith and hope today, Vincent. Blessings on you that you give to us all.
Thank you for another excellent devotional. I really like that poem also. Do you know whether it has been put to music? If not, someone really should.
Amen brother!
Hello Vince,
Several times we get high winds to what could be a tornado in other places.
At those times the winds will stay for days but not that strong. We have a huge tree in our front yard, and depending on the time of year, there are huge messes to clean. Oh, how spiritual we can feel and see some great stories to share. Right, there are the messes we can make in our lives and have to face cleaning them up with the help of our Lord. That will do it!! It’s always so good to hear from you and always a blessing. God bless you and yours
(Ca.)