Summer Thoughts

Ensenada de la Gorina - Lanzarote by Paul Collings

Jeremiah 31:35
Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name:

Psalm 107:29
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Matthew 8:23-27 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"

After an exhausting day beset by crowds, Jesus was able to sleep peacefully in a boat so swamped by waves that the disciples thought they were going under. It shows a man of unusual health and inner peace. It is from that inner peace that he calms the fears of his friends, and equally reassures the threatened church, often depicted as a fragile, storm-tossed barque.
When I feel tossed by storms, Lord, may I call on you with confidence.

Jesus, when You walked on earth, You demonstrated Your power over nature. You are the One who walked on water and rebuked the fierce tempest, and at Your command, the wind stopped and a great calm prevailed. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. We put our faith and trust in You when we are assailed by the forces of nature. Thank You for Your protection and care. Amen.