Monday, September 10, 2007

The Lord and the Storm at Sea


For a seafarer, "storm at sea" is both literal and figurative. It can be the real storm that makes voyage at sea dangerous, or it can be storm inside of yourself: the problems you encounter, the worry, the helplessness and even depression and despair. Either way, there is only one anchor that should keep us still: trust in the Lord God.

It helps to remember the words to Psalm 107:23-32. It reminds us that God's love and power is greater than any storm.

23 Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.