February 24, 2009

Number 8

VIEWPOINT

“Stormy winds that hear him call” may have made their way from Psalm 148 into our hymn book, but last Wednesday most everyone was ducking for cover!  Since the hail was hammering vehicles and homes of several of our Cedar Grove members, we didn’t expect many in attendance at our Wednesday evening meeting time. 

A group of sixteen assembled, nevertheless, and we found there are a variety of “storm stories” mentioned in Scripture.

·         A storm with some similarities to our situation last week occurred during the liberation period of the Israelites:  “When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation” (Ex. 9:23, 24).

·            As far as we know, the very first storm was that of Noah’s day.  “All the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.  And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights (Gen. 7:11, 12).   Noah’s ark was a refuge of safety:  “In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God (1 Pet. 3:20, 21).

        Before Jesus’ call, several of the disciples were seasoned fishermen.  Nevertheless, when a furious squall broke out, the terrified disciples woke Jesus up saying “Master, Master, we're going to drown” (Lk. 8:24).  Yet the record clearly states that “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let's go over to the other side of the lake’” (Lk. 8:22).  Jesus had no intention of letting the boat capsize in the middle of the lake, and he won’t abandon us in stormy times of life, either.  He might not always still the storms around us, but he can always still the storm in our hearts. 

·            Life will never be exempt from tempests – literal or spiritual.  A person, however, whose character is formed by the teaching of Jesus will be prepared to withstand the storms.  “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living.  They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock.  Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock” (Mt. 7:24, 25 Message).

·            Our relationship with Jesus is far more important than any physical circumstance.  It’s in our best interest to respond to him in faith and gratitude.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;
       the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,
       and he guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
       and his wonderful deeds for me.  (Psalm 107:29-31).

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word.    RA

Spiritual Challenges

IT IS a serious waste to let a day go by without allowing God to change us. (Richard Rolle, The Fire of Love)

GOD has granted you the morning, but he does not promise the evening. Spend each day as if it were your last. (Lawrence Scupoli, The Spiritual Combat)

OUR BODIES have one fault: The more we cater to them, the more things they want. . . .  This is not a trifling matter. God will help us to gain mastery of our bodies. (Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection)

GOD ALLOWS himself to be seen in ordinary things, even when they are darkened by shadows. (Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence)

FIRE TESTS IRON; temptation tests an honest person. Sometimes we don't know what we can do until temptation shows us what we are. (Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ)

THE BEST TEACHERS are trouble and affliction. These alone give us understanding. (John Foxe, Christ Jesus Triumphant)

IF YOU put up with yourself, why not put up with everyone else? (Guigo I, Meditations)