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.