The Stormy Waters
by Gene Easley
"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalm 107:23-31).
Ordinary people, going about their normal business, can suddenly find themselves in trouble over their heads. The storms of life come upon the just and the unjust. None of us are exempt from life’s fiery trials. Job was the most righteous man of his time, but the storms that came his way were so devastating that all were left without adequate answers.
The Psalm writer in Psalm 107 spoke of businessmen who had their enterprise in the great waters. They left home one morning on what appeared to be just another day. When their ship was far from the safety of the shoreline, a stormy wind emerged. The waves began to mount up to heaven and then back down into the depths. They were in trouble over their heads.
It does not appear that this storm was sent to punish these men for the evil deeds in their lives. God allows tests to come our way. He permits troubles to arise that overwhelm us. Troubles that test our faith. Troubles that, if we are wise, send us to our knees. That’s what happened to these men. When it appeared the storm would bring total destruction, the Psalmist said, "Then they cry unto the LORD in their troubles, and he bringeth them out of their distresses" (V. 28).
First-hand experience always enriches our lives more than just reading about what God did for someone else. Storms should always bring us to our knees. Once we have seen the hand of God calm the raging waters, we gain a new confidence that He can handle any situation.
We do not foolishly cast our sail into the path of hurricanes, but if we find ourselves caught unexpectedly in their strong grip, we do not fall into hopeless despair. Our cry goes up to God with a faith that He can calm the waters.
These businessmen upon the sea of life watched as God turned the storm into a calm. They saw the boisterous waves die down and become still. Their hearts were filled with gladness. God brought them to their desired haven. And He will do the same for us. He will calm the stormy waters and bring us to our haven of rest. The end result is that our hearts again can rejoice in the victory that He alone can give!
COPYRIGHT REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS: This data file is the sole property of Gene Easley. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2006 by Gene Easley"). This data file may not be used without the permission of Gene Easley for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content with the exception of a few brief quotations. Please give the following source credit: Copyright (C) 2006 by Gene Easley, Alamo, Texas.
