TLIC Psalms. October 9. He Made the Storm Be Still.

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 sea? 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 too hard to see the fulfillment of this stanza in our own destiny in Christ, as we move from stormy sea to peaceful haven.

Are you at your wits end today? Has your courage melted away? Whatever storm do 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.

You: What stormy sea are you currently facing?

You in Christ: How does knowing that Christ is bringing (and has already brought) you to your desired haven allow you to courageously face the storms of life?

Christ in you: How can Christ in you calm the soul storm inside of you?

Pray: Jesus, I confess I often think I am in control, but I know that only you can bring peace on the story seas. Amen.