"Then he got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Without warning, a furious storm came upon the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Yeshua was sleeping." (Matthew 8:23-24)
When I awoke this morning I was covered in a shalom so precious, so profound, I can barely find words to describe it. I awoke with my 3-year-old granddaughter fast asleep in my arms, my kitty snuggled at my feet, birds singing in the trees, and a glorious sunrise beaming through my window. I thought, "Father, how could the days of sorrow be upon us when all seems so peaceful?" Wiping sleep from my eyes, I realized it was the 4th of July. I prayed over this great nation for Yahweh's hedge of protection, asking Him not to lift His hand that covers us. The reality all about us includes raging wildfires in the West, flood-drenched cities in the Midwest, and people displaced by tornadoes everywhere. The threats against our nation are great, and sleeper cells of terrorism lie in dormant silence, waiting to erupt. But here I was, safe in my bed, my beautiful granddaughter snuggled against my body, her warm breath on my cheek, listening to the songs of birds.
I thought of Yeshua in the boat in the midst of the storm. The disciples were gripped by panic and fear. They woke the Lord, crying "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" How had he remained peacefully asleep in the midst of a capsizing boat?
He is GOD. He knows the end from the beginning. He is the one who kept the Israelites safe in the midst of terrible plagues. From Sabbath to Sabbath they were keeping His commands and observing His decrees - while the Egyptians surrounding them were given over to famine, disease, darkness, and death. The LORD has said, "If you make the Most High your dwelling, even YAHWEH who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent." (Psalm 91:9)
Oh, may we hide this word in our hearts and keep this SHALOM over us and within us - so that whatever tempestuous storm swirls around us, we may remain calmly sleeping in the boat.
Go outside this evening and sight the new moon. Blow the shofar and give Yahweh thanks for another new month. The cycles and seasons continue and He is LORD!
Shabbat Shalom - Chodesh Tov! (Good month)
When I awoke this morning I was covered in a shalom so precious, so profound, I can barely find words to describe it. I awoke with my 3-year-old granddaughter fast asleep in my arms, my kitty snuggled at my feet, birds singing in the trees, and a glorious sunrise beaming through my window. I thought, "Father, how could the days of sorrow be upon us when all seems so peaceful?" Wiping sleep from my eyes, I realized it was the 4th of July. I prayed over this great nation for Yahweh's hedge of protection, asking Him not to lift His hand that covers us. The reality all about us includes raging wildfires in the West, flood-drenched cities in the Midwest, and people displaced by tornadoes everywhere. The threats against our nation are great, and sleeper cells of terrorism lie in dormant silence, waiting to erupt. But here I was, safe in my bed, my beautiful granddaughter snuggled against my body, her warm breath on my cheek, listening to the songs of birds.
I thought of Yeshua in the boat in the midst of the storm. The disciples were gripped by panic and fear. They woke the Lord, crying "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" How had he remained peacefully asleep in the midst of a capsizing boat?
He is GOD. He knows the end from the beginning. He is the one who kept the Israelites safe in the midst of terrible plagues. From Sabbath to Sabbath they were keeping His commands and observing His decrees - while the Egyptians surrounding them were given over to famine, disease, darkness, and death. The LORD has said, "If you make the Most High your dwelling, even YAHWEH who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent." (Psalm 91:9)
Oh, may we hide this word in our hearts and keep this SHALOM over us and within us - so that whatever tempestuous storm swirls around us, we may remain calmly sleeping in the boat.
Go outside this evening and sight the new moon. Blow the shofar and give Yahweh thanks for another new month. The cycles and seasons continue and He is LORD!
Shabbat Shalom - Chodesh Tov! (Good month)
