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Vs. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of
blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces
of evil in the heavenly places.
There were once two parents who
used to cover the eyes of their only child whenever there was a fight,
quarrel, or action-oriented scene in the movies they were watching
together. So, according to the child, movies had no struggles, no fights,
no bad times, and everything was happy and good all the time. Growing up,
this child always compared his life to the movies and thought that there
would be no struggles in life. Similarly, he grew up to believe that
everything in life was going to be one smooth ride with everything ending
in happiness.
When we read and study the Word of God, we are taught
that while we are in the world, we will have to face various types of
struggles which may include those which are physical in nature and those
which affect us spiritually. We also learn from the Bible that God also
promises to strengthen us through such challenging times. St. Paul even
reminds us in Ephesians 6 that we can put on the full armor of God which
enables us to stand our ground in the midst of the stormy experiences of
life. We can be at peace even when the storm around us is raging.
I am also reminded of a painting by Jack E. Dawson,
in his “Seek and Find” series, titled “Peace in the Midst of the Storm.”
This painting includes an image of a bird which rests peacefully in its
nest in the cleft of a rock while thunder, lightning, the roar of the
ocean, and other things that cause restlessness surround it. The
comforting message of this painting is that in the midst of the intense
storms of life, we should take refuge in Jesus Christ, our rock. Although
we know that we are not promised a life without storms due to the
presence of evil in the world, through the cross, we can overcome and
through our trust in God, we can be at peace.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, as the song reminds
us, when the storms of life are raging, tempests wild on sea and land,
help us O Lord to seek a place of refuge in the shadow of Your hand.
Safely hide us, O Lord, where no harm can ever betide us and turn what
seems to harm us into everlasting joy. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray.
Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Peace is not the absence of the
storm but the calming strength God provides in the midst of it.
Mrs. Neethi Prasad, w/o Rev. Christopher Daniel
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