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Batten Down the Hatches – Anno.Domini.144K

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Batten Down the Hatches

November 21, 2022 12:34 PM
Anno.Domini.144K

A few days ago, during prayer, I asked if the Holy Spirit had any words for me or others at this time. The Holy Spirit responded with the words, “Batten down the hatches!”

Though I have no seafaring experience, and I can’t even go on a tourism whale-watching day trip without getting seriously queasy despite taking Dramamine, I vaguely recognized this expression from watching historical movies with scenes of ships preparing for an approaching storm. According to idioms.thefreedictionary.com, the phrase “batten down the hatches” means:

“To get ready for trouble. A nautical term dating from the early 19th century, it signified preparing for bad weather by fastening down the battens, strips of wood nailed to various parts of masts and spars, and fastening tarpaulins over the ship’s hatchways (doorways and other openings). The term began to be used figuratively as preparing for any emergency by the late 19th century.”

The message conveyed is essentially PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. A storm is coming and we must prepare our “ships”—our souls as much as our homes, families, food supplies, and finances. Only Jesus has the power to calm the storm and quell the waves, so repent of your sins and call out to Him. He loves us—enough to take on our sins and die for us—and would extend a helping and life-saving hand to us to keep us from sinking into the waves. He hears our S.O.S.—“Save Our Souls”—calls and is our First Responder. Jesus Christ is our Rescuer and Redeemer.

Scripture:

Psalm 107:23-32 NIV

23 Some went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.

Matthew 8:23-27 NIV

Jesus Calms the Storm

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4:35-41 NIV

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Luke 8:22-25 NIV

Jesus Calms the Storm

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Photos courtesy Depositphotos

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