The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 107:17-24, “Fools, because of their rebellious way, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
18 Their soul abhorred all kinds of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.
20 He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men!
22 Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His works with joyful singing.
23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters;
24 They have seen the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep.”

Matthew 8:24-27, “And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.
25 And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing!’
26 He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
27 The men were amazed, and said, ‘What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’”

The verses above from the Old and New Testaments possess a clear semblance of “togetherness.” We could hardly find any that are more closely associated than the two above. What the Old Testament says is complemented by what the New Testament says. Such gives sure and certain evidence of the unity of Scripture!

The psalmist speaks of affliction so severe that no selection of food
could heal the afflicted. They were, in fact, nearing the doors of death. Yet, their cries reached the ears of God and He healed all of them!

Subsequently, they were enjoined to “give thanks to the LORD” through “sacrifices of thanksgiving.” Such was for His lovingkind-ness and the wonders of His healing power! Notice, too, that those delivered by the miracle of the LORD’s touch were encouraged to praise Him in the joy of singing and telling others of His good works!

Interestingly, too, is how all of this is demonstrated through us!
The disciples had forgotten the LORD’s previous attention to their needs when the storms began to rage. In fear, they cried out, “LORD, save us!” And He did!

Then, we forget that He saved us from the storm, and we cry out to Him again for help. He helps us, then we forget and fall into fear at the next sign of trouble. It just goes over and over again. When will
we learn?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We may never know that Christ is all we need
until He becomes all that we have.”
– Corrie ten Boom