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Listen while you read: "Jesus I Come"1
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I've never been seasick. But recently, I think I can relate. I am reminded of two experiences. The first is when I stood before an impressive and dramatic life-sized display at a museum in Astoria, Oregon, USA. It is of a US Coast Guard rescue boat being tossed almost vertical in high waves with a Coast Guard crew labouring to navigate and at the same time rescuing some victims in the stormy water. The recorded sound effects added to the experience of seeing this. The other experience is remembering a favourite childhood amusement park ride called "Tilt-A-Whirl" which spun around as it tipped the riders in random whirling motions. Some sensitive stomachs could not manage this ride. Not only would my head swim, but it would challenge my balance.
I had similar physical feelings recently when I discovered that my identity had been stolen and my email hacked, causing email scams to be sent to my contacts using my email address. Shortly after that, our financial accounts were breached, all within a short period of time. The discovery was at first shocking and unbelievable! Now what? Asking God for help was a first response, and yet, I felt like I were floundering at sea trying to find something to hold onto. My head was swirling with a list of all the tasks of answering phone calls, changing passwords, and filling out various fraud reports to authorities. One very early morning just as I awakened, the chorus of a worship song based on Isaiah 26:3 was just sitting at the forefront of my awareness.
Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (ESV)
The key was to trust in my loving God. Of course!
Lamentations 3:22-23 – The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (ESV)
God's words were a soothing balm to my fretting heart and to my mind. As I came to Him to give all my concerns to Him, I felt His peace, and my unsteady and dizzying fearfulness subsided.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (ESV)
God held me fast and protected all funds from being taken.
Friends, you and I are in a world full of rapidly changing events that can swirl us around and threaten to disorient us. We may begin to question ourselves or begin to doubt. As we refresh our supply of God's promises to remind us of Who God is, He gives perfect peace during the storm. No fear! Perfect peace!
Prayer: Almighty loving Father, thank You for giving us Your Word to draw us near to You. Holy Spirit, thank You for gently bringing verses to our mind. Thank You, Saviour Jesus, for Your peace given freely to all who trust fully in You. Amen.
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About the author:
Sharon Lundquist <lundquistsharon4@gmail.com>
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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Thank-You Sharon.
Thanks Sharon. Blessings.
Thanks, Sharon. For the comforting reminder.
Thank you for writing Sharon. I always enjoy your devotionals.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. To God be the glory! Blessings.
2024 was challenging and 2025 threatens to be worse – yes, prayer and trust in the Lord.
Thank you, Sharon, for this reminder of the peace and security that God can give us in our tilt-a-whirl world. We are blessed.
Thanks for this lovely devotional. Sorry you were hacked but glad money was not stolen. The verse from Isaiah, I years ago took as my life keep verse, it is in my bedroom visible each morning. We are so blessed when we know GOD’S peace in our lives.
Thank you for writing this devotional.
I remember as a teenager A young girl told me Love makes the world go round.
And I’m just a spinning.
Happy new year.
Blessings.
OH MY, Sharon! What an experience you have had…and survived! For me one of the benefits of singing in the choir are the various songs that quote scripture. One of my favorite, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies….” Many a time I have sung that in my head.
Grateful you did not lose any money. And, in a way I think…perhaps it is a good thing to be 87 and know that one will not have to face all this “progress.”
Happy New Year to you and those you love,
Sorry to hear of the situations you have had to deal with recently Sharon.
Thankfully those scammers did not get away with your funds. There are sure a number of different happenings out there in our world these days but one thing for sure that hasn’t changed is the constant love and care the Lord has for us. When we reflect on Him and bring our situations to Him, we get the peace and comfort needed. The words of Proverbs 3:5-6 that you mentioned, are certainly words to be adhered and strongly focused on. Blessings for this writing and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Good morning, Sharon,
Thank you for encouraging everyone to trust in God through sharing your frightening experiences. I was impressed to read that your first response was to ask God for help. I hope one day that will be my first response in difficult situations that happen. I do get seasick easily and those situations you describe would be very scary for me – I do not go on amusement rides.
Thank you for sharing your faith on a regular basis for others can learn and reflect on their faith. A Christian community is important part of the faith journey. Best wishes for the new year. Blessings.
Oh, my, Sharon, what a horrible experience! Thankfully, you were able to trust God and were rescued. May we all “trust in the Lord with all our hearts.”