Praise to the Lord Who
When tempests their warfare are waging
Who when the elements madly around thee are raging
Biddeth them cease turneth their fury to peace
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
By: Joachim Neander 1680, trans. Catherine Winkworth 1863
Listen to this modern version of this majestic hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we continue our journey through this hymn ask the Holy Spirit to help you receive and then issue this call to worship. Be sure to find your place in the praise. Let’s think about this.
The Storms are Raging
The first half of this stanza established the chaos of the storms and tempests we face. Powerful imagery evokes strong emotions as we remember the force of the elements each of us has experienced at different times. Then the focus pivots to what our Lord can do in the midst of those moments.
It brings to mind to story of Jesus sleeping in the boat while His disciples feared they might be engulfed by the waves. They were so worried they woke Him up. It makes you wonder how bad could it have been if Jesus was sleeping through it all, or maybe how completely exhausted He might have been from all the teaching and ministry in which He had engaged.
They were afraid. But Jesus calmed the storm, or rather storms, both without and within.
But Jesus…
Biddeth them cease turneth their fury to peace
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 ESV
I wonder if the voice Elijah heard was similar to the one Jesus uttered here. There are exclamation marks, but I wonder if Jesus only spoke loudly so his disciples could hear amidst all the noise. Often quiet, but sometimes not, is the voice that calms the storms.
When Jesus spoke to the storm it seems He raised His voice. How is God speaking into the storms of your life? Is it the still, small voice from the cave or the shout from the boat on the waves? God is speaking. Ask Him for the ability to hear Him.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments to think about the storms you are facing. It might not be tempests and elements but it is evoking just as much fear with you. Start by making this your simple prayer.”Jesus, help me hear Your voice.”
A Capacity Issue?
Imagine for a moment what that must have been like for the disciples. They are astonished and as one another who this could be who the winds obey. Who He was seems clear, but what He is able to do requires some consideration.
Though they had spent much time with Jesus and had already seen some incredible things, nothing was on the scale of this miracle. The disciples capacity to fathom what Jesus would do as they woke Him had limitations. Fortunately for them, and for us, Jesus capacity has not limitations.
He did it for them. He can do it for you.
Deliverance From or Through
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29 ESV
Assuaging means to make something less intense. Often we ask God to deliver us from the storms, but sometimes His will is to deliver us through them. In all cases, when we are listening for His voice, and continuing to give Him praise, He makes the storms less intense.
How do you imagine God will make your current or future storms less intense? Will He calm them? Will He give you the ability to see He is not in them? Maybe He will show Himself as a refuge or strong tower. He will be your very present help in time of trouble.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and consider the capacity of Jesus. He is not limited by your understanding, but what you ask of Him may be. Make this your prayer today, “God, help me to run to you in the tempest.”
Lord, thank You having unlimited capacity. Not matter what storms I face I believe you can calm them. Help me to trust You more so when the waves roar I can still hear Your voice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Calm Thinking!
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Podcast 55.4 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Praise to the Lord Who
When tempests their warfare are waging
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty! Psalm 93:3-4 ESV
Now we contrast the obvious might of the stormy tempest with that of the Lord. There really is no comparison, but when you find yourself staring into hurricane force wind it can be easy to forget God is far mightier.
Who when the elements madly around thee are raging
And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. 1 Kings 19:11b-12a ESV
Elijah had an encounter with elements, madly, raging around him. Interestingly, the scripture makes very clear the Lord was not in those. Instead He revealed himself through a low whisper. Power on display through a still, small voice.
Biddeth them cease turneth their fury to peace
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 ESV
I wonder if the voice Elijah heard was similar to the one Jesus uttered here. There are exclamation marks, but I wonder if Jesus only spoke loudly so his disciples could hear amidst all the noise. Often quiet, but sometimes not, is the voice that calms the storms.
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29 ESV
Assuaging means to make something less intense. Often we ask God to deliver us from the storms, but sometimes His will is to deliver us through them. In all cases, when we are listening for His voice, and continuing to give Him praise, He makes the storms less intense.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
Praise to the Lord Who
When tempests their warfare are waging
Who when the elements madly around thee are raging
Biddeth them cease turneth their fury to peace
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Be Resonant.
The post Who Turns Fury to Peace? appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Biddeth them cease turneth their fury to peace – https://pixabay.com/photos/church-window-church-window-jesus-1704828/
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging – https://pixabay.com/photos/boat-lagoon-reflection-sea-water-6860983/
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