“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” – (Joshua 1:9 ).
One of the beauties of the English language is its ability to embrace and incorporate new words from other languages or habitats. For example, recently it took in the word boda boda, which is a usage from the streets of Uganda depicting a popular motorcycle. Now in the African American community, there is this word cool, long meant to reflect weather, but here referred to a person being calm and maintaining composure in the face of raging storms. Someone is said to be “cool” when almost everything is in a state of turmoil and remains unruffled. In the ghetto hood, brothers who are cool in the face of fire are the envy of all.
Going by that we find an instance of being cool, in the life of our Lord Jesus on earth. “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm“ (Luke 8:22-24).
I am pretty sure if the disciples had been living today they would have commented amongst each other, “our master is cool!”
Are you facing any storms today in your life? The Lord is telling you two things. First of all call upon Him like the disciples did to arrest the storm. Secondly, do not lose your composure. Rather, be cool, knowing the Lord is in control.
“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him” (Luke 8:25). Stay cool.
Prayer for today: Lord God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that whatever storm I am facing I look up to you knowing your power to calm any and that I remain cool because of the faith I have in you, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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21/05/2024 - 22/05/2024 All day“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare” (Proverbs 24-26)
Anyone who has taken a long walk through dark forested woods knows the fear and trepidation of suddenly coming face to face with some dreadful creature stirring from nowhere. Hence, one walks gingerly, with his sixth senses fully alert.
In life, there are also those situations where we too can find ourselves fearful of the worst, a terror suddenly unleashed upon us by some nemesis, just as we had lowered our guard. Yes, some evil was waiting for the right time to knock us down.
In our verse today we see here some of the blessings of placing our confidence in the Lord. People tend to lose sleep when there is something there are most anxious of, especially when there are uncertain of the outcome. Also, there are certain job situations where in a rat chase one has no idea of the next move of his competition, and is ever fearful of a wicked surprise. When we walk with the Lord, we are at peace because it is not much of the circumstances around us that determine our fate. But it is His protection.
Our lives are much like how pilots enjoy a panoramic view of all that is below. For the traveler who has not that vantage view there can be that anxiety especially once caught in the thick of the jungle. But then by looking up to God who knows and sees everything hovering over us, why worry! This is why Paul writes, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that your peace may abound upon me in whatever situation I face as I know you are in supreme control.
