Claimed, gathered and sent

    "The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation" (Psalm 118:14, English Standard Version) Martin Luther's comments on this verse were helpful this morning: Note the fine, threefold summary of the psalmist: The Lord is “my Strength,” “my Song,” “my Salvation.” The first indicates that he trusts wholly and completely in God, that God does, speaks, and quickens ... everything in him; and he will not boast of his own power, ability, knowledge, wisdom, holiness, or deeds. He will be nothing; in him God will be all and do all. What a sublime song and how rare in this world! He trusts and relies on no man or prince, on none of this world’s power, wealth, friends, alliances, support, wisdom, deeds, comfort, or help. He trusts in God alone, in contrast to himself and all the world’s might, wisdom, and holiness. This is expressed even more impressively in the song: God alone shall be his strength, trust, and defiance. Next, the psalmi...

Last night Ray and I watched The Perfect Storm , a movie depicting a true story of a fishing crew's battle against the forces of nature. Their ship was minuscule compared to the huge waves that washed over it and eventually destroyed it. Contrasted with their struggle was that of a crew that called out, "Mayday" and were rescued. A while back as I read this passage its significance struck me. Jesus is portrayed as this amazing man who rescues his friends who struggle with their faith or lack thereof. They issued their own "mayday" to the Lord and he responded. Today this hits even closer to home as I struggle with storms of sleeplessness, pain, and emotions. "Lord, my boat is so small and your sea is so big." It sometimes seems like life's circumstances are whipping us around uncontrollably. We are not exempt from life's challenges just because we are people of faith, but God is with us in the small boats of our lives, in the midst of the sto...