Greetings, Beloved of the Lord,
It was one of those strange days, when the sky overhead seemed disoriented. The upper winds were driving thin, wispy clouds from the south into the north, but the surface winds were pushing big white cushion clouds west to east. Looking into the sky was a little dizzying, especially when a jet began crossing the constantly changing scene and leaving a contrail that ran across the whole pattern of clouds at still another angle.
When I think about all that is going on right now in our world, it reminds me of that day. So many things, moving at different rates in different directions—it can be dizzying.
Of course, we all enjoy what we call a gentle breeze. We like to see the wind move through the branches of the trees, rustling the leaves and stirring the air a bit. We do not like it when the air grows still and stagnant, and we definitely do not like it when the wind picks up violently. A little wind can be entertaining, but when it begins roaring it is frightening and dangerous.
You will recall that one day Jesus was asleep on a pillow in the stern of a Galilean fishing vessel when the lake was hit with a powerful storm.
Mark says:
Mark 4:37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
Many of you remember, I am sure, what happens next. The disciples who are sailing with Him wake Jesus and cry out over the fierce winds, saying, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Mark reports:
Mark 4:39-41 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
The winds, upper and lower, are always in the hands of, and at the beck and call of, your God.
Psalms 148:7-8 & 13 Praise the LORD from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths; Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; … Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
On that day I mentioned, when the upper winds were running contrary to the surface winds, they were both in His hands, serving His will. And the airplane full of souls which crossed their paths – His hand was on it too and on every soul in it. And not one of them that He purchased with the blood of His Son was in any jeopardy no matter how the winds blew.
“Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
He is your God, your Creator, your Sustainer, your Savior. Fear not, Beloved, the Captain of the Winds is your Father who loves you.
Psalms 73:23-24 …I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
May the Lord bless you with faith, confidence, and contentment in Him even among all the contrary winds of the hour.
