Announcing -- A Summer Worship Event with the RESPOND Worship Band

Storms and Hawks and the Promises of God . . .

Today Pastor Danny gave us a message in a series he titled "Fear Not".  I am always amazed at how the Holy Spirit weaves a very personal word for me in every message that he opens up for us.  I am amazed, yet I have come to expect it.  After all, the same Spirit that is actively working in my life each week, is speaking a Word to our Pastor--a Word that is alive, relevant, active and powerful.  So I have learned to arrive at church with my ears alert and ready to hear what God wants to tell me.  As always, He did not disappoint me today.

This Sunday's message was about Paul sailing on a ship as a prisoner on his way to Rome (an account of which is found in Acts 27). We find the ship being tossed about by a storm, which the Bible says is "a wind of hurricane force", receiving a "violent battering" for many days. One can only imagine the sailors to be terrified for their lives and the account records that they had, "given up all hope of being saved."  Then Paul stands up and brings them the hope they so desperately need:  Acts 27:22-25 "I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."

Paul gives them the only real hope that can come to them under the circumstances--hope in the the promise of God.  But they need to keep their hearts calm and still as they trust God to bring about His promise.  As the storm comes at them with continuing ferocity, Paul tells them in essence, "stand still, don't flinch, remain calm, simply trust the God whose promises always come true."  Paul tells them not to look at the storm, but to keep their eyes fixed on what God has promised.  I heard that message loud and clear this morning--because this was the second time God said exactly that to me this week.  The first time He spoke it through a hawk

Let me take a moment to tell you about that . . .
I was walking down the back alley behind my house this past Wednesday evening, right here in the middle of the city, and in the distance I see a large bird flying toward me at eye-level.  Now let me frame this story with the fact that I have been terrified of birds flying at my head for as long as I can remember.  In fact I would peg that as being on my list of three biggest (and likely irrational) fears ever in my life. Yet here I am with a large bird flying directly toward my face.  Then the strangest thing happened--I was flooded with what I can only describe as a supernatural calm.  As the bird drew closer I realized it was a hawk and all I could think was, "What's a hawk doing flying down my back lane?" and "Cool, a hawk is flyng down my back lane!"  No fear, not even for a moment.  It came surprisingly close to my face before it veered off to the left. I didn't so much as flinch or blink.  I swear I could feel the wind on my cheek as it passed by.  And then God filled my heart with His Voice, "This is what I want you to do: when opposition comes, stand still, don't flinch, remain calm and trust that I am working out My promise in your life."

How steady and powerful that word is on my heart today, after having heard it for the second time this week.  And so I say, "Let the storms come, let opposition come, let everything I once feared come, they will find me standing still and calm, waiting to feel the wind of the Spirit on my cheek as He covers me with His protective wings and brings me to the place of His promise. I am in good hands.  So are you.  Praise the One who can keep us calm in every circumstance!  Praise the God who fulfills every promise without exception and with perfect timing.