He asked us to open our Bibles to John 21:1-6…
Later Jesus appeared again to the
disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the
disciples were there--Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from
Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter
said, "I'm going fishing." "We'll come, too," they all
said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn
the disciples saw Jesus standing on the beach, but they couldn't see who he
was. He called out, "Friends, have you caught any fish?" "No,"
they replied. Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of
the boat, and you'll get plenty of fish!" So they did, and they couldn't
draw in the net because there were so many fish in it.
Web began to share his observations of this familiar scripture. He said, 'I' is not the most profound company or secure future. It is dangerous for the ego to become the foundation for your tomorrows. If 'I' is undependable, 'we' is that much more undependable. That 'night'—physical night is bad enough, but spiritual night is worse. He explained these words from the Ugandan language, 'ushinde' (ends with an 'e') which means 'defeat.' He said the word 'ushindi' (ends with an 'i') means 'victory.'
Jesus asks, "Do you have any fish?" Sooner or later somebody has to speak and say, "No, Sir, we don't." Sooner or later we face Jesus Christ, whether we recognize Him or not. "What do you have to show for the last 8 hours you've spent in the water?" He covers us with His compassion. Just like He did that early morning—to talk to the fish that were there in the water that night. The difference between spiritual victory and spiritual defeat is the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Web further explained this with another Ugandan word, 'basi'... it means, 'peace, it will be alright, it will be okay.' It is used by mothers nursing their babies, it means 'peace, healing' as they hold their babies, they pat them saying, “basi, basi”..."that's alright, that's alright." Then he closed with John 3:16 and he said, "Just give Jesus a chance, He will give 'basi.'"
I have experienced this ‘basi’…peace…the presence
of our Lord Jesus Christ as
my El Shaddai. The thought expressed in the name Shaddai describes power, but
it is the power, not of violence, but of all-bountifulness. Shaddai primarily
means “breasted,” being formed directly from the Hebrew word, “shad,” that is
“the breast.” Shaddai means “the pourer” or “the shedder-forth,” that is of
blessings, temporal and spiritual. Having been a nursing mother of my two
children, I readily identify with this name…my baby is crying—restless. Nothing
can quiet it. Yes; the breast can. My baby is pining, starving. Its life is
going out. It cannot take nourishment: it will die. No; the breast can give it
fresh life, and nourish it…calming, peaceful, nourished…satisfied…He is most
glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him…He Himself is our Peace…
Take a
few moments to reflect on the lyrics of this beautiful old hymn, Jesus Whispers Peace…
There is a name to me so dear,
Like sweetest music to my ear,
For when my heart is troubled, filled with fear,
Jesus whispers peace
When grief seems more than I can bear
My soul weighed down with heavy care
And I am sorely tempted to despair
Jesus whispers peace
O that the world might hear Him speak
The word of comfort that men seek
To all the lowly and to the meek
Jesus whispers peace.
Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your peace today. You are our Peace. I ask you to help me to do these things: to lean on you, to meditate on your character and attributes, and to trust you with all my heart. Thank You for Your promise that Your perfect peace will guard my heart and mind. In Christ, I am relaxed and at peace in the midst of the confusions, bewilderments, and perplexities of this life, because I trust in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Look Up—meditate on John 21:1-6 pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
Look In—as you meditate on John 21:1-6 pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
Look Out—as you meditate on John 21:1-6 pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.
Was this encouraging to you? Please feel free to
leave a comment in the box below, I'd love to hear from you!
Linking up with Holley Gerth and Heather Faria as an encourager.
Linking up with Holley Gerth and Heather Faria as an encourager.
Beth...I think you know how much I love this post :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the words of that precious song....and want all the world to know of Him who is our PEACE.
Thank you, Mary...yes...what comfort it is to have an intimate, personal relationship with our Prince of Peace!
DeleteAs ever, Beth, thanks for some depth, some substance for the soul. What a glorious way to start the day, to hear Him speak peace to somewhere deep within.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Linda! Thank you for stopping by from over at Holley's place to leave your ever-encouraging comments :)
DeleteI had never heard that hymn before. Beautiful words :)
ReplyDeleteTeresa, Thanks for stopping by my blog today and leaving your sweet comment about the wonderful old hymn, “Jesus Whispers Peace”…I recently heard it again on one of the Gaither Homecoming DVDs called “Tent Revival” which they filmed near Billy Graham’s home in Asheville, NC. I was so moved by it, I wanted to include it in my post today. Many blessings to you :)
Delete"Dangerous for the ego to become the foundation for your tomorrows." This really jumped out at me.How easy it is to think we are making something happen when it isn't us at all.
ReplyDeleteSarah, thank you for your insightful comment...I so agree with you! Another quote that sticks with me is, "The difference between spiritual victory and spiritual defeat is the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ."
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