WHEN THE WIND BLOWS.

When the wind blows from the orange groves of Israel, the flower scent can be detected eight kilometres out into the Mediterranean Sea.

God created the wind. ‘He makes the clouds arise from the end of the earth. He sends lightnings with the rain, and brings out the wind from His treasuries. ( Psalm 135:7 )

We treasure a cool breeze on a hot day, as a grand-daughter and I walked along the beach, the wind sweeping our faces, and her long hair streaming behind her. We laughed with delight at the feel of the wind.

Although we speak of the winds of adversity, yet the writer of the Song of Solomon says that the north and south winds blow and bring blessing. In Australia north winds are usually hot, while south winds may signal a storm, or blow cool and refreshing. The writer recalls, ‘Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread abroad.’ ( 4:16)

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, spice, curry, lavender, rosemary diffuse a fragrance through the whole house, and when added to a meal, someone says, ‘Mmmm,that smells good.’ Neither adversity, trials or testing restrain the fragrance of a life in close company with God. The aroma flows from one who courageously faces testings. So allow the winds to blow, while God‘s spices flow to bless and enrich family and friends.

Cheryl‘s eyes glistened with tears as she told me how she trusts God one day at a time, since the death of her husband. She feels the Presence of God in answer to the prayers of her friends, and I felt the fragrance of her testimony.

On the Sea of Galilee the wind whipped the waves, which almost engulfed the boat sailed by the terrified disciples. They questioned whether Jesus really cared for them. I remember crossing the Great Australian Bight during a storm on our way to Indonesia, pregnant, and miserably sea-sick, I was thankful that a loving Father cared for me, while Harrold minded our four children.

The disciples marvelled when the Lord stilled the storm and rebuked the wind and waves in three words, ’Quiet. Be still.’ The troubled and frightened disciples wondered as they said,

‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him.’ (Mark 4:41 ) Of course, He was the Lord of creation, who used His wind and waves to remind the disciples of His authority and presence. Although the wind raged and the waves rolled in that storm, the Lord was there.

The Lord Jesus also assured His disciples ‘We will go to the other side of the Lake.’ With the strong Son of God in the boat, He controlled the elements, so that fear was futile.

With an oxygen mask over my face, an injection needle in a vein, and attached to a heart monitor in the hours before heart surgery, I was acutely aware of my stormy condition. The north and south winds raged. I well knew the implications of the storm. As a Doctor’s wife I understand the crises that occur. Yet here God’s spices of peace and trust sustained me as I committed my life to Him, to take me or restore me. I rolled over the promise in my mind,

’ Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen my heart. Wait on the Lord.’ (Psalm 27:14 )

The Holy Spirit is also likened to a wind. ’The wind blows where it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes or where it is going.’ ( John 3:8 ) So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’ ( John 3:8) God’s Spirit blows like a wind, here , there, everywhere, in the minds and spirits of those with whom we share our faith. Sometimes He works like a mighty, rushing wind. At other times, He is like a gentle zephyr.

While in hospital, I longed to share my faith with my five fellow patients, as well as the doctors and nurses, and I prayed for opportunities. Weakness and tiredness do not make for easy conversation. But one night after visiting hours, a shy lady sat on my bed. She surprised me by her forthright comment, ’What would we do without prayer?’ She had noticed my husband and me praying together, We talked about the reality of prayer, and she allowed me to explain the joy and certainty of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal relationship. The wind of God’s Spirit touched her heart.

When one of the surgeons said, ’You’re lucky to be alive,’ I thanked him for his surgical expertise at my operation and assured him it was also God’s goodness. My answer surprised him.

The male nurses were extremely helpful, but when one said to me, ‘And how the devil are you today?,’ I said, ‘It has nothing to do with the devil, but everything to do with God.’ After that, he allowed me to make little comments which he accepted.

Not dramatic occasions, but God’s wind certainly blew over those opportunities, and I trust Him. My daughter gave me a small book, ‘Someone cares.’ Because it helped me, my husband obtained copies for my five fellow patients,

God’s wind carries the fragrance; He stills the storm, and works by His Holy Spirit in the lives of those we meet in our daily round.

The write of the Song of Solomon was right when he said, ‘ God brings the wind from His treasury.’ No bank holds such treasure.

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