Grandpa was a fisherman off the coast of Newfoundland, and somehow I've inherited his deep love for the sea--AND for a good storm! Now I have no reliable source to confirm that--he probably DREADED storms--but somehow, I've got this wild freak of nature in me that not only loves the rollin' sea but loves a rockin' storm too--as long as I'm not out IN it! Now were I OUT on the sea in a storm, do you think I would PANIC? You'd better believe it--this emotional English/Italiano person wouldn't be having a tea party aboard boat--I'd be scared to death!
As THEY were--the disciples that is! It's one of my favorite stories, fright and all. For panic must surely have been aboard that fishing boat, tossed about on the Sea of Galilee, the Savior sound asleep--the sailors wide-eyed in terror. "Wake up, Master, we're about to drown. Don't you care!!" And Jesus, calm as He always IS in a crisis, awakens, stands with authority, speaks to the wind and the waves, "Peace, be still" and with one last, wonderful WHOOSH, the wind and waves obeyed! A calm settled around and within these mighty men of the sea as panic turned to peace, peril to protection--for HE, the Lord of the wind and waves--was on board!
He's aboard MY boat--and YOURS too--let all the devils in hell hear it and run! GOD'S in our boat--and we're not about to drown--so panic, be gone in Jesus' Name. HE is present, and "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is PEACE"--not panic! Panic comes from the prince of darkness, the pit of hell, to distract, disturb and disengage you from whatever purpose God has for your life. Fear not--let HIS peace cover your mind, body, soul, and spirit THIS day. He's captain of your ship--and you're going to make it!
And now, the word for the day! This comes from the witty mind of a dear 85-year-old pastor/pal, mentor and adopted dad to me, and I, granddaughter of the "Newfy" fisherman, share it with you: "E.I.G.T.B.O.K." (pronounced egg-t-bok). Need a translation? I did--it means, "Everything Is Going To Be OK!!" Now believe it--Jesus rides in your boat and rules the storms! Have a great, victorious sea-sailing day in HIM!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
Scripture: "The Disciples and the Storm." (BibleGateway.com)
"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Mark 4:39)."
