John Stanko | On September 4, 2015

Shoshone Falls, Snake River, Idaho
(Painted by Thomas Moran) (circa 1875)

“Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth”

– Psalm 124:8.

The psalmists repeatedly referred back to God’s natural acts of creation to describe and frame God’s majesty and power. Thus, they regularly mention the Flood, the Genesis story and the parting of the Red Sea as Israel left Egypt as examples of God’s ability to help His people regardless of how daunting the circumstances seemed to be. Perhaps that is why Jesus on several occasions had encounters with nature that proved His divinity and His authority over the forces of nature that were overwhelming to the disciples, but were well within Jesus’ power to control, as told in John 6:16-21:

“When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.But he said to them, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid.’ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.”

Are you afraid of the forces aligned against you? Do you need a reminder of God’s power over your situation that seems out of control? Do you need to call on the God of the storm to get into your boat today?

Today’s reading – Psalms 121-125

John Stanko

John Stanko was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended Duquesne University where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics in 1972 and 1974 respectively.

Since then, John has served as an administrator, teacher, consultant, author, and pastor in his professional career. He holds a second master’s degree in pastoral ministries, and earned his Doctor of Ministry from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh in 2011.

John founded a personal and leadership development company, called PurposeQuest, in 2001 and today travels the world to speak, consult and inspire leaders and people everywhere. From 2001-2008, he spent six months a year in Africa and still enjoys visiting and working on that continent, while teaching for Geneva College’s Masters of Organizational Leadership and the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most recently, John founded Urban Press, a publishing service designed to tell stories of the city, from the city and to the city.