..Jesus said to his disciples,
“Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”
But soon a fierce storm came up.
High waves were breaking into the boat,
and it began to fill with water.
Jesus was sleeping…
The disciples woke him up…
“…don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
…he rebuked the wind
…and there was a great calm.
Then he asked them,
“Why are you afraid?
Do you still have no faith?”
Mark 4:35-40
Before daybreak the next morning,
Jesus got up and went out
to an isolated place to pray.
Later Simon and the others went out to find him.
When they found him,
they said,
“Everyone is looking for you.”
But Jesus replied,
“We must go on to other towns as well,
and I will preach to them,
too.
That is why I came.”
Mark 1:35-38
This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:
“In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea,
beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land
where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined.”
Matthew 4:14-16
“But for you who fear my name,
the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings…”
…She touched the fringe of his robe,
for she thought,
“If I can just touch his robe,
I will be healed.”
Jesus turned around,
and when he saw her he said,
“Daughter,
be encouraged!
Your faith has made you well.”…
Malachi 4:2; Matthew 9:20-22
They will call on my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say,
‘These are my people,’
and they will say,
‘The Lord is our God.’
Zechariah 13:9
For on that day I will begin to destroy
all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer
on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem.
They will look on me whom they have pierced
and mourn for him as for an only son.
They will grieve bitterly for him
as for a firstborn son who has died.”
Zechariah 12:9-10
And I will give you a new heart,
and I will put a new spirit in you.
I will take out your stony,
stubborn heart and give you a tender,
responsive heart.
And I will put my Spirit in you
so that you will follow my decrees
and be careful to obey my regulations.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
“I will make a covenant of peace with my people
and drive away the dangerous animals from the land.
Then they will be able to camp safely in the wildest places
and sleep in the woods without fear.
I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill.
And in the proper season I will send the showers they need.
There will be showers of blessing.”
The orchards and fields of my people will yield bumper crops,
and everyone will live in safety…
then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Ezekiel 34:25-27
“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
I myself will search and find my sheep.
I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock…
I myself will tend my sheep
and give them a place to lie down in peace,
says the Sovereign Lord.
I will search for my lost ones who strayed away,
and I will bring them safely home again…”
Ezekiel 34:11,15-16
(Barn quilt painted by Charlene Poe Chumley)
This is what the Sovereign Lord,
the Holy One of Israel,
says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength…”
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Isaiah 30:15,18
(Big Bend, TX)