Read Psalm 107:23-32 23Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. 25For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. 28Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 32Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
If you’ve ever lived through a bad storm and seen its effects, then you know the devastation that nature can cause. The psalmist places such natural wonders and even disasters on the shoulders of God himself. At the same time, it is God who stills the storm and hushes the waves of the sea. Isn’t this exactly what our sleep deprived Lord did on Galilee as the disciples panicked on the stormy seas? In John’s gospel the Twelve find themselves immediately at their location as soon as the sea is calmed – he brought them to their desired haven.
Hopefully we don’t have to look to hard to see the fulfillment of this stanza in Christ, but also in our own destiny as we move from storm sea to peaceful haven.
Are you at your wits end today? Has your courage melted away? Whatever storm you find yourself in today, know that in Christ you are in the safest place you can be for riding out the storms of life. In him your life is forever in his hands. He might calm the sea, or invite you to walk on it, either way he will bring you safe to shore. Do you believe this?
To live is Christ means recognizing just how little control you have over your life. Just as you have no control over hurricanes, winds, and waves, you also have no ability to tame the world around you. But it also means thanking the Lord for his steadfast love that indwells your heart, bringing peace with every wave.
Prayer. Jesus, I confess I often think I am in control, but I know that only you can bring peace on the story seas. Amen.
To Live is Christ 