In My Boat

The disciples were rowing the boat across the
Sea of Galilee and
'the sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.'

But when Jesus came to them,
walking on the rough sea,
and got into the boat with them,
'immediately the boat was at the land
to which they were going.'

What an experience that must have been.

From severe struggles to an instant arrival
at their destination.

And I wonder about that.

Does He do that today for His disciples?

Or does He stay with us in the storm
till we reach our destination?

(John 6)

Mercy Undeserved

Jonah is certainly not an admirable person.

He is extemely depressed because the Ninevites repented
and God relented of the disaster that He said He would do to them.

Jonah mentions that he wants to die three times
in Chapter 4. and to him the fact that 'God was a gracious God,
and merciful, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast love,'
was a deficit especially in His dealings
with those that Jonah hated.

But God was all that to Jonah-
saving him from death in the ocean,
and causing a plant to grow and
'made it come up over Jonah,
that if might be a shade over his head,
to save him from his discomfort.'

All undeserved.
And I wondered why.
And then I realized You have dealt the same way with me.
Time and again.
And also all undeserved.

First Fruits

The words of that dear suffering criminal really touched me today.

"Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Luke 23:42

He perceived and believed that Jesus was His Savior and King.
And what a boon this must have been to the dear suffering Savior.

Here was the first fruits of His living and dying on earth!

Me Too

All these wonderful things that the Lord says about Israel in Hosea 14, He also says about us, doesn't He? For we are His chosen ones also.

Just a few:
"I will love them freely.." v.4
"They shall return and dwell beneath My shadow." v.7
"It is I who answer and look after you." v.8
"From Me comes your fruit." v.8

My Sheep

God says at least 13 times in Ezekial 34, that the people of Israel are "My Sheep." And He is grieved because His shepherds have treated them so badly. And there is pomise after promise of how He will take care of them and make up to them all the wrong that has been done unto them.
It's a blessing just to read this chapter seeing Jesus as our Good Shepherd, doing the same for us.

Sad Commentary

What a sad commentary on anyone:

"They (the Pharisees and lawyers) rejected
the purpose of God for themselves." Luke 7:30

How careful we must be to follow where He leads.

Darkness and God

"The people stood afar off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. "Ex. 20:21

What a contrast. And what courage Moses had. I'm sure all his previous experiences with God enabled him to do this. God and darkness do not seem compatible. How does this relate to those dark times in our lives? Certainly He is there for one thing.

I would rather go into the darkness where God is than to follow that 'angel of light' where He is not.