He made the storm bestill, and the waves
of the sea were hushed.
Psalm 107:29
Most Jewish men in the first century had put to memory the Psalms. With just a trigger any psalm could rise to the surface bringing solace and encouragement, praise and thankfulness. Scripture was at the tip of their tongues, so, no matter the situation they had a Godly word upon which to rely.
I wonder then if the disciples, who were on the boat with Jesus the night the storm broke out while crossing the Galilee, remembered this verse. Maybe fear prevented them from remembering. They probably woke Jesus with “Do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38) more out of desperation and the need for an extra hand on deck. Nevertheless, isn’t it interesting that if they had remembered this verse in the Psalms they might have behaved less frantically?
When the waters are rising around you what is your first instinct? Too often I hear my voice wailing above the swirling, “Why is this happening now?” scrambling to solve the problem in my own way. What I would like my first thought to be is, he made the storm be still and respond to whatever is troubling me out of that promise. But, first I need to have buried it within my being, making it a part of my living.
We keep so many things in our memory, “just in case”—social security numbers, phone numbers, account numbers, birthdays, passwords. They all help us “survive” in the world. But, knowing and memorizing Scripture will help us more than just “survive” it will help us live.
Jesus, forgive me when I panic
and feel like I have to shake
you awake to calm my storms.
You already know and are ready
to say, “Peace.”
Help me to remember Your words
making them a part of me.
Amen.
and feel like I have to shake
you awake to calm my storms.
You already know and are ready
to say, “Peace.”
Help me to remember Your words
making them a part of me.
Amen.
3 comments:
My dearest Valerie,
It was such a blessed blog that I read today. It amazes me how you developed this skill on the computer. It surely is a great way to communicate a truth such as you have done today. It has been a great blessing to Mum and myself. We are trusting all of you have a safe and enjoyable trip to California. Greet Bob and Ruth for us. We are so thankful that the fires did no reach them. We are looking forward to the next time all of you can come our way and we surely would like to travel to Colorado someday.
Our love, from Mum and Dad
When my husband and I were in Guatamala we took a boat trip on Lake Atitlan in the highlands. It was a small vessel and very bumpy and the waves got stronger and stronger. I got very frightened and then remembered the sermon my husband had preached about Jesus being in the boat with us; I knew we were going to survive and at that happy moment, I heard something I never imagined hearing: I heard the laughter of Jesus! Yes! Jesus was in the boat with us having a joyful time! Pat Cummings
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