Summary

The Tempest Word on the Week 15th January 2025.
‘It’s an ill wind that does nobody any good’ So goes the old saying. Such was the ferocity of the wind to hit Ireland on Friday morning that perhaps the only occupation to benefit would be that of roofers!
Damage to property and infrastructure has been considerable but mercifully it was not accompanied with rain so flooding was limited to the overtopping of sea defences. The main damage countrywide is to the electric grid and trees.
The wind velocity reached 183 km or 114 mph. This was recorded in the West which fared badly. In the East at Hartwell we got off lightly with only a few branches blown down. The wind was spectacular. The Red Alert issued by the Met. Office lasted 12 hours from 3 am to 3 pm.
In contrasting this storm with the only other I have experienced, this was the lesser. Back in 1953, the gale which hit the eastern seaboard of the UK and Holland came out of the North whereas storm Eowyn came from the South. Also it had to negotiate the Jet Stream before reaching its destination in the Arctic.
In 1953 we had little warning and when it hit it came with a roar that blotted out all other sound. This eventually quietened to powerful gusts which were in the 100 mph bracket!
There is no doubt that high winds make a violent sound – like a large tractor on maximum revs.! This I suspect was something akin to the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2 verse 2). This was supernatural as there was no wind!
It was 50 days after the Crucifixion and, as Jesus predicted, He would send the Spirit who would lead the Disciples into all truth. “He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.” (John 16 verses 13 to 15).
This ‘Wind of God theme’ is brought out by The Message (MSG) translation of the Bible - Jesus’ dealing with Nicodemus.
“So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God” (John 3 verses 5 to 8).
It will be a good wind if the Spirit prompts you to turn from your sins to Jesus and put your trust in Him for time and eternity.