189696 15973975 1210476 891910 2266679137 Minutes With Messiah: God On His Horse
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God On His Horse

by Tim O'Hearn

The wind has been blowing over the past several weeks in Albuquerque. Although we are quite familiar with the wind that doesn't reduce our agony when it blows allergens around. People have been complaining about the wind and what it brings with it. People, that is, who are unfamiliar with the scriptures.

When we get thirty to fifty mile-per-hour winds, instead of complaining we should be looking for God. After all the wind is his steed. God "maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind." (Ps 104:3) "Yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind." (Ps 18:10)

Assuredly, God uses the wind for other reasons. It was an east wind that brought the locusts upon Egypt and then it was a west wind that took them away (Ex 10:13, 19). An east wind blew all night to divide the Red Sea, allowing Israel to escape from Egypt on dry land (Ex 14:21). A wind brought quail for the Israelites to eat in the wilderness (Num 11:31). Jonah was, to his dismay, familiar with the wind. A mighty wind from God was the cause for him to be thrown overboard, subsequently to be swallowed by a great fish (Jonah 1:4). An east wind made him want to die after his shelter withered away (Jonah 4:8). The prophets spoke of God winnowing the chaff of mankind in the wind (Ps 1:4; Ps 35:5; Isa 17:13; Dan 2:35). Whatever use God makes of the winds, it is because they are his to use, even if it may be for his figurative transportation.

In two recorded incidents Jesus showed that he was the Son of God by his control over the wind. In one instance, as recorded in Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 6) the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee at night and fighting a contrary wind. Out of the dark Jesus came walking over the water, intending to pass them. When they saw him they called him into the boat (after, Matthew tells us, Peter walked to meet him). "And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." (Matt 14:32-33) It seems they were more amazed at the wind dying down than at Jesus' walking on water. (For another version of this story see A Dark and Stormy Night.) The other incident is found in Mark 4 and Luke 8. Jesus fell asleep in the boat as they crossed the Sea of Galilee. When a wind came up that threatened to swamp the boat he commanded the wind to stop. "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mk 4:41) Who indeed was this that had control over God's steed? Who but the Son of God!

Too often we go through our days experiencing the things of life, but not experiencing life. We see God's creation, but many never see "God, creator." Many ignore that God can be seen in all of His creation. Some of us drive along, never bothering to notice who is in the car passing us. We do the same, sometimes, to God. He comes riding by on the wind. Next time that happens, instead of complaining try to look up, wave, and just say, "Hi, God." He'll appreciate it, even if everybody else thinks you are crazy.

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