VOLUME LVII October 2011 NUMBER 10 - Grand Encampment ...

Prelate’s Chapel
by
Rev. William D. Hartman
Right Eminent Grand Prelate
of the
Grand Encampment
when He [Jesus] got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And
behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was be-
“And
ing swamped by the waves, but He [Jesus] was asleep. And they went
and woke Him, saying, ‘Save, Lord, we are perishing.’ And He said to them, ‘Why
are you afraid, O men of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the
sea; and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man
is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?’”
(Matthew 8:23-27)
We have been experiencing a lot of storms lately; the storms of financial
and debt crises, political polarization, national governmental overthrow, street
rioting and flash mobs, the loss of military personnel, poverty and personal
crises, as well as actual storms, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
Many people are turning to Wall Street and banks as well as Congress and the
President to help calm these storms. Multiple charities are looking for donations
to help calm the physical crises that so many are experiencing around the
world. We recognize that “quick fixes” are a mirage, but long-term solutions
seem to be outside our immediate grasp.
Dr. Charles Albert Tindley, a Methodist Pastor in Philadelphia a century ago, was
experiencing such storms in his own life and ministry. Out of the anxiety and helplessness
of this, he could write “When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
... When the world is tossing me like a ship upon the sea, Thou who rulest wind
and water, stand by me.” How well Dr. Tindley knew that our sure anchor in this
life is the One who could calm the winds and the sea “in our storms of life.” The
disciples on that night so long ago learned the power of Christ in the midst of their
life-threatening storm. And so must we in these perilous times.
John Newton, some 250 years ago, learned this same life-saving experience during
a sea storm that threatened to capsize the ship he was captaining. His life was
spared that night and so changed him that he went on to share with others what
great things God can accomplish in our lives when we pray for Him to “Stand by
me.” To John Newton, it was “Amazing grace ... that saved a wretch like me.” It is
the grace of God that will lead us “Through many dangers, toils and snares ... Tis
grace hath brought [us] safe thus far, and grace will lead [us] home.” We need to
put our sure trust in God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
6 october 2011