“Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?” Psalm 113:1-6
The wind has strong arms this morning, swaying palm fronds with pronounced grace, deep bows and curtsies before their unseen King. Wind chimes ring melodically over a background of high pitched crickets. A lone star shines white in the midnight blue sky, reminding me that in God there is no darkness, even in the cloudiest times. I feel His wind today. What He’s blowing I do not know, but I know it is from Him. (Psalm 112:4,7-8; 1 John 1:5)
So as the sun ascends, lift my sail I must. There is a sense, a palpable knowing from the Holy Spirit, of an unseen battle, a swashbuckling fight in the invisible realm. And though the feeling is ominous, I know who wins, and do not fear. I know the One who blows these winds with greater force to the end that we bow before Him. Trust Him I do, and will. (Ephesians 6:12; Philippians 2:9-11)
So Lord, this day, blow me to prayer, to that place of stillness before Your awesomeness. To kneel before Your throne that is far above the heavens, a position I cannot fathom, a place You cannot be contained. To cast my cares on You, and place absolute trust in You, whose throne cannot be shaken. (1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 57:5; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7)
And Spirit, blow me to action. Compel me to redeem my time. Direct my steps. Every moment and through the hours cause my plans, endeavors, and works to honor You, exalt Your excellence and beauty, and bring You praise. (Psalm 32:8; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 5:15-16; 1 Peter 2:12)
Would we daily secure ourselves under God’s wing? How deliberately do we cling to Him, so no matter what structures of culture sway, or tempests of emotion blow, we will not be shaken? Our Victor has already carried the worst for us. He’s on our side, sailing by our side, to the end. (Psalm 46:1-3; 91:4-6; Romans 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Revelation 21:4)
“I feel the winds of God today;
today my sail I lift,
though heavy oft with drenching spray
and torn with many a rift;
if hope but light the water’s crest,
and Christ my bark will use,
I’ll seek the seas at his behest,
and brave another cruise.
It is the wind of God that dries
my vain regretful tears,
until with braver thoughts shall rise
the purer, brighter years;
if cast on shores of selfish ease
or pleasure I should be,
O let me feel your freshening breeze,
and I’ll put back to sea.
If ever I forget your love
and how that love was shown,
lift high the blood-red flag above;
it bears your name alone.
Great pilot of my onward way,
you will not let me drift;
I feel the winds of God today,
today my sail I lift.” ~Jessie Adams (1863-1954)
Lord Jesus, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, mightily blow Your Spirit to comfort our hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
As the rain and snow 