Acts 19:23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning The Way and its followers led by Paul who had just disrupted almost all of Asia. The riot in Ephesus became a boisterous contradictory affair dealing with deep pockets and disloyal hearts. You see, the silversmiths scooped in scores of silver making shrines and their souvenirs. Their livelihood was on the front burner.
Acts 19:35 The Town Clerk takes over the treacherous tumultuous crowd and stills the noise. One man hushed the crowd who had been screaming for two hours straight. Don't be hasty. Don't be rash. Let's keep our passions in check. The crazy crowd listened to a clerk, an opinion leader with a voice. We ought to keep quiet and do nothing rash. Sounds good. But what's your motive there? Most people stand more in awe at the judgment of our city officials than they do at the judgment of God. What quiets my soul? The LORD on high is Mightier in your life than the noise of all the turbulent waters surrounding you. He can still your raging storm. Better to fear God than man.
It has been about an hour since I posted. Not one, but two terrible storms have just hit my life. One is yet another financial tossle at midnight text. The other emotional---just came from a midnight call. I might be sinking on The Titanic but there's a Lifeline for me, Someone Mightier in these raging storms of life. Mightier than all this noise!
ReplyDeleteI've believed that either He will calm the storm you are in, or calm you in the midst of the storm. I have experienced this more than once and dear Bev, I keep seeing Him calm you and not the storms that rage about you. He is using you as an example to the rest of us how to focus on Him and cling to Him. He has taught you the true gift of being grateful in all things. I thought of that this morning as I was praying...you even gave Him thanks in the cracking of your windshield. Oh, to see Him in not only the good things that happen in our lives, but also in the hard things and the things that tear at our fabric of our lives where we think we deserve nothing but goodness and light. May we all learn daily to cling to the Lifeline that He is making, throwing out to us. He is the quietness in the midst of the storm that is raging around each one of us.
ReplyDeleteI love the image of the Town Clerk calming the crowd. I picture him as an orderly man, used to dealing with numbers, a world of black and white, no gray areas for him. He probably listened for a long time, struggling with with the possibility of riot and fear of a crowd out of control.
ReplyDeleteHe jumped into the fray with a no nonsense attitude and calmed the storm.
So often, we feel as if our voice will not be heard over the raging mob of violence, sin and blasphemy of the world. We can make a difference. Sometimes it is a kind word, a smile, a hug, encouragement to a sister or brother who needs someone to show compassion. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Dearest Bev, you have been battered by the storms, tossed around by so many things I can't even imagine. You have an anchor, it holds you securely through the storms of life. Your light continues to shine brightly, giving all us the hope and inspiration to keep going on.
Bev, I am in one myself. Raging waters and rocky shoreline. Our God knows the way we are going and it would be better to starve than to lose faith.
ReplyDeleteI'm believing.
Lifting up you Pearls in prayer this morning. Such wisdom comes from each of you in the middle of your storms. You glorify Him. Hang in there. He's using you mightily. Love, Annette
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