When I drove into the office this morning, the wind was not blowing very much. We can’t see the wind, but we can see the results of it. The reason I knew the wind was not blowing much, was the flag was moving only a little. The wind is spoken of in the Bible some times in a destructive way.
Job’s ten children were in the elder brother’s house and a wind came and blew it away killing all of them (Job 1:18-19). Many people today can understand because they also have experienced the destruction of a great wind. I think the blowing of the wind is useful for us. I have noticed the wind blows the clouds from place to place so we can have moisture. It seems that if the air did not move, the water vapor which brings the rain would not move.
I remind you of the storms on the sea during Jonah’s time. This storm was the results of God’s wrath, because Jonah was not obeying Him. There were the storms also on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus was in the boat with His disciples. “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:37-39). The disciples were amazed when Jesus stilled the storm. They questioned among themselves, “Who can this be?” Jesus looked like any ordinary man, but we know by faith that He was the Son of God. He was with God in the beginning and they created the world together. So the wind was His and He could command it as He chose. We are His creation and He has given us the Bible. This is His word and His commands to us! He will save those who obey His commands. Those who do not obey His commands, He will not save, but cast into hell with the devil and his angels.
I remind you also of the storm when the disciples were in the boat and Jesus came walking on the water to them during the storm (Matthew 14:24-32). Jesus gave Peter permission to walk on the water. He is the one who saved him from sinking. For Jesus to save you today, you must obey Him. Read these verses which contain His plan for salvation for all people: Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 17:30; Acts 8:37; and Acts 2:38.
The Spirit of God is like the wind. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. “So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). We see the work of the Holy Spirit in the fruit of Christians. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). When these are not in a person, that person is not a faithful Christian. Some people desire to heal or speak in tongues as evidence they have the Holy Spirit. Miracles have ceased on earth (1 Cor. 13:10), but the fruit of the spirit will never end as long as the earth stands. Examine yourself. Are you showing forth the fruit of the spirit? These are not something you look for an opportunity to perform — these are you! You, everyday, in and out. Practice these before God.
Vernon Curry
Highland Drive church of Christ
Poplar Bluff, MO