Chapter 9. Wind
Wind—we do not know where it comes from or where it goes. We cannot see the wind yet we see its effects in the trees. We feel the coolness of the wind touching our faces, a refreshing, gentle breeze, reminding us of the breath of life. How wonderful it is to breathe, yet we do so unconsciously and involuntarily, from birth to death. Yet to focus upon our breathing, to be calm and aware of our surroundings and ourselves, we are ready to pray by calling to mind God's Presence. Veni Sancti Spiritus—Come Holy Spirit! May we be moved by the Holy Spirit to do God's Will. May we never be too busy for the Lord.
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Genesis 8:1
God did not forget about Noah and the animals with him in the boat. So God made a wind blow, and the water started going down.
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Exodus 14:21
Moses stretched his arm over the sea, and the LORD sent a strong east wind that blew all night until there was dry land where the water had been. The sea opened up ...
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Numbers 11:31
Some time later the LORD sent a strong wind that blew quails in from the sea until Israel's camp was completely surrounded with birds, piled up about three feet high for miles in every direction.
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2 Samuel 22:11
You rode on the backs of flying creatures. You appeared with the wind as wings.
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1 Kings 19:11
"Go out and stand on the mountain," the LORD replied. "I want you to see me when I pass by." All at once, a strong wind shook the mountain and shattered the rocks. But the LORD was not in the wind. Next, there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
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Job 26:13 (NIV)
By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.
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Job 37:9 (NIV)
The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.
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Psalm 107:25
At his command a storm arose,
and waves covered the sea.
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Psalm 135:7
The LORD makes the clouds rise
from far across the earth,
and he makes lightning
to go with the rain.
Then from his secret place
he sends out the wind.
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Psalm 147:18
At his command the ice melts,
the wind blows,
and streams begin to flow.
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Isaiah 49:10
They won't go hungry or get thirsty; they won't be bothered by the scorching sun or hot desert winds. I will be merciful while leading them along to streams of water.
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Amos 4:13
I created the mountains and the wind. I let humans know what I am thinking. I bring darkness at dawn and step over hills. I am the LORD God All-Powerful!
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Matthew 8:26–27
But Jesus replied, "Why are you so afraid? You surely don't have much faith." Then he got up and ordered the wind and the waves to calm down. And everything was calm. The men in the boat were amazed and said, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him."
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Matthew 11:7 (NIV)
As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?..."
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Matthew 14:24, 30, 32
By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. ... But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. Right away, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, "You surely don't have much faith. Why do you doubt?" ... When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down.
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John 3:8
Only God's Spirit gives new life. The Spirit is like the wind that blows wherever it wants to. You can hear the wind, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going.
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Acts 2:2
Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting.
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If the east wind doesn’t prevail over the west wind, then the west wind will prevail over the east wind.
—Chinese proverb.
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A wind came up out of the sea, And said, "O mists, make room for me."
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1809–1882). Daybreak (l. 1–2).
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"My eyes are blinking," Dathi said,
"With the secrets of God half blind,
But I can see where the wind goes
And follow the way of the wind;
And blessedness goes where the wind goes...."
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939). "The Blessed" [1899].
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Powerful winds can be awesome but also disastrous. Tornadoes, gales, and hurricanes have uprooted the homes and lives of many. Improved education, emergency preparedness, and early warnings are essential for survival. May we be generous in offering support and help to victims of disasters. At the same time, the power of the wind presents a renewable source of energy. Windmills and wind-driven generators have proven useful for harnessing this energy. May we like the windmills rotate and spin with the Love of God, so that we may "go forth to love and serve the Lord by loving and serving one another."
Photo Credit: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(C) 2002 by Anthony R. Brach.
